Oman

Obesity prevalence

% Adults living with obesity in Oman 1991-2017

% Adults living with overweight or obesity in Oman 1991-2017

% Adults living with obesity in selected countries in the EMRO Region 1984-2017

Overweight/obesity by age

Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group

Insufficient physical activity

Average daily frequency of carbonated soft drink consumption

Estimated per capita fruit intake

Prevalence of less than daily fruit consumption

Prevalence of less than daily vegetable consumption

Average weekly frequency of fast food consumption

Estimated per-capita processed meat intake

Estimated per capita whole grains intake

Mental health - depression disorders

Mental health - anxiety disorders

Oesophageal cancer

Breast cancer

Colorectal cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Gallbladder cancer

Kidney cancer

Cancer of the uterus

Raised blood pressure

Raised cholesterol

Raised fasting blood glucose

Diabetes prevalence

Health systems

Health systems summary

Oman is considered to have a universal health care system provided for by the Ministry of Health. Omani citizens (and expatriates who work in the public sector) have access to free at point of service care. Most non-Omani citizens have employer-provided health insurance and those that do not tend to pay for subsidised care.

Over recent years, government healthcare spending in Oman has risen dramatically, leading to the introduction of small, nominal fees for some appointments to help reduce demand and improve finances. Currently, out of pocket expenditure is estimated at 11.6% of total health expenditure. It is anticipated that there will eventually be the introduction of a national health insurance programme that will be administered by the Government. Plans for this were outlined in ‘Health Vision 2050’.

Summary of stakeholder feedback

Stakeholders reported that the Ministry of Health is making efforts to address obesity. This includes investment in campaigns, initiatives and community programmes around healthy lifestyles. It was noted however, that there is more work to be done because obesity is still rising. Stakeholders felt that obesity could be better prevented by increasing opportunities for physical activity, increased regulation of unhealthy foods and more cross-sectoral collaboration.

In theory, the whole spectrum of obesity treatment is covered by government funding (for Omani citizens and expatriates working in public sector), apart from some medications. However, stakeholders reported long waiting lists for treatment, particularly in tertiary care at the sole tertiary obesity clinic at the National Diabetes and Endocrine Centre (NDEC). Despite this, it appears people go for government funded treatment unless they can afford to pay out of pocket or they have coverage through private insurance.

Oman has a national screening programme for those over 40 years of age. Stakeholders reported that when someone is screened and found to have a high BMI they are typically referred onto a dietician (and possibly a physician for medication). Other than screening, stakeholders claim that people only enter the system when they have co-morbidities, but even then they are not seen by truly multi-disciplinary teams at primary and secondary care. The sole tertiary centre (NDEC) only accepts referrals for those with a BMI of 40 with comorbidities.

There are reported to be no guidelines in place in Oman for the treatment and management of obesity. There is no widespread obesity training in place, but the NDEC is leading on providing training so that more obesity care can be provided at primary and secondary care level. This includes the training necessary to open 18 obesity clinics with multi-disciplinary teams across Oman and an obesity management fellowship.

Based on interviews/survey returns from 6 stakeholders

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