BackgroundThe aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) among overweight/obese children and adolescents using different diagnostic/screening methods in comparison.MethodsWe recruited overweight/obese Emirati students; grade 6–12 (age 11–17 years) from 16 government schools in Sharjah (UAE). Anthropometric, demographic, and clinical history data was measured by standard methods. Body mass index (BMI) was categorized according to BMI percentile charts for age and sex – CDC. Capillary fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured by finger prick test, followed by confirmatory oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) and venous HbA1c for students with abnormal capillary FBG and/or HbA1c.ResultsOf a total of 1034 participants (45 % females) median age 14.7 years, 443 (43 %) students had abnormal screening results. The prevalence of prediabetes and T2D was 5.4 % and 0.87 %, respectively, based on OGTT (gold standard). HbA1c showed a considerable discrepancy regarding the prevalence of prediabetes (21.9 %), but not diabetes. There was a statistically significant difference in the BMI Z-scores between the three different groups of students showing normal glycemic testing, prediabetes and T2D (p = 0.041). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that glycemic status was significantly associated with family history of T2D first-degree relatives [OR 1.87: 95 % CI: 1.04–3.36; P = 0.036], parents employment [OR 1.79: 95 % CI: 1.06–3.02; P = 0.029] and levels of triglycerides [OR 2.28: 95 % CI: 1.11–4.68; P = 0.024].ConclusionsThe prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes was high among overweight/obese Emirati children and adolescents. The numbers for prediabetes were considerably higher when using HbA1c as compared to OGTT. Overall adiposity, family history of T2D, employment and high levels of triglycerides were risk factors associated with abnormal glycemic testing.

Background Minimal data is available on the prevalence and correlates of hypertension and prehypertension in Dubai. The study aims to measure the prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension and the associated socio-demographic characteristics, behavioral risk factors and comorbidities among the adult population of Dubai. Methods This study used data from the Dubai Household Health Survey, 2019. A cross-sectional population survey based on a complex stratified cluster random design. The total eligible sample included 2530 adults (18+). Sociodemographic and behavioral factors were considered as independent covariates. The main study outcome variables, pre-hypertension and hypertension, were ordinal, with normotension as the reference group. Results The overall prevalence of hypertension in adults was 32.5% (38.37% in males and 16.66% in females). Prehypertension was prevalent in 29.8% of adults in Dubai (28.85% in males and 32.31% in females). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age groups, gender, occupation, and high Body Mass Index were significantly associated with a higher risk of hypertension at the level of P < 0.05. No clear trend toward a higher correlation of hypertension was noted with the increase in age, except after the age of 50 years. Males were five- times more likely to be hypertensive than females. Participants enrolled in skilled and service works had a five times higher risk of hypertension, compared with the reference group (professionals). Obese subjects had a 5.47-times greater correlation of hypertension compared with normal-weight subjects. Physically active individuals were less likely to develop hypertension. For the correlates with prehypertension in the present analysis, skilled and service workers and those working in elementary jobs had a higher risk of prehypertension, compared with the reference group (professionals) Individuals with a status of overweight were associated with a higher prevalence of prehypertension compared with people of normal weight. Conclusions This study showed a high prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension among adults in Dubai. Some socio-demographic and behavioral risk factors were correlated with prehypertension and hypertension among the studied population. Interventions aiming at increasing public awareness about such risk factors are essential.

Background: Overweight and obesity in adolescence have become a public health challenge. Health effects due to overweight and obesity appear during adolescence and continue into adulthood. Modifiable factors associated with overweight and obesity include unhealthy dietary behaviors and lack of exercise. Assessment of the prevalence of overweight and obesity and unhealthy dietary behaviors is essential to plan for preventive programs at the population level. Objectives: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and unhealthy dietary behaviors among adolescents of grades 8–12 in Dubai schools, 2019. Method: The Adolescents Risk Behavioral Survey (ARBS) is a 2-stage stratified cluster study. The 1st stage involved randomly selecting schools with a probability proportional to the size and the 2nd stage was randomly selecting classes, and all students in the selected classes were invited to participate; the total participants were 1,683 adolescents from grades 8–12 from 28 private and government schools. Students answered a self-administrated electronic questionnaire. Anthropometric measures including height and weight were assessed by a trained school nurse. Body mass index was calculated and classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts for sex and age. Data were analyzed with adjustment for weight, primary sampling unit, and stratum. Results: Among the adolescents of Dubai schools studying in grades 8–12, the prevalence of overweight was 25.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.7–28.2) and obesity was 15% (95% CI: 13.0–18.9). Overweight did not vary between male and female students, but obesity was higher among male students 19.9% (95% CI: 15.4–25.1) than female students 11.8% (95% CI: 8.7–15.6) (p = 0.0261). Age and grade were not found to be associated with overweight or obesity. The prevalence of unhealthy dietary behaviors was common. Examining dietary habits from 30 days prior to the survey, 21.3% of adolescents (95% CI: 17.2–26.1) reported not eating fruits and 19.7% (95% CI: 15.7–24.4) not eating vegetables. With regard to consuming dairy, 3.3% of adolescents (95% CI: 10.9–16.1) did not drink milk or consume dairy products in the 7 days prior to the survey, 31% of adolescents (95% CI: 26.8–35.5) consumed a carbonated drink daily, and 18.4% did not eat breakfast on all 7 days during and before the survey. Eating fast food was high among adolescents as 78.9% reported eating fast food one or more days in the week preceding the survey. Conclusion: School programs for overweight and obesity need further strengthening and to extend their scope to outside of the school community.

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Globally, depressive disorders are one of the leading causes of ill mental health and disability affecting about 1 in 4 people at some point in their lives. Population-level data on depressive disorders in the region are sparse yet essential for health sectors. This is the first population estimate for the prevalence of depressive disorders and associated factors in Dubai. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depressive disorders and the associated factors among adults aged ≥18 years in the Emirate of Dubai 2019. <b><i>Method:</i></b> This is a complex-design cross-sectional population survey targeting Dubai residents aged ≥18 years. This study was part of the Dubai Household Survey 2019 (DHHS-2019). The total number of participants was 2,244, with a response rate of 91.6%. The design was a 2-stage stratified cluster sample. Trained investigators conducted computer-assisted face-to-face interviews using the World Health Survey questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) screening. Analysis was design-based adjusting for weight, primary sampling unit, and stratum. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The overall prevalence of depressive disorders was 2.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6%–3.4%). Screening revealed 1.9% (95% CI: 1.2%–2.9%) of participants were positive for depressive disorders, with no prior diagnosis constituting approximately 74% of the depressed. Factors associated with depression were adjusted using logistic regression and revealed significantly higher odds of depressive disorders among the following: unmarried (single, divorced, and widowed) comparing to married (odds ratio [OR]: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2–6.3) and smokers than nonsmokers (OR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.4–8.0). Employment was found to be a protective factor and reduced the odds of having depressive disorders by 80% comparing to unemployed (OR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1–0.7). Moreover, those suffering from health conditions had higher odds for having depressive disorders, such as chest pain (OR: 20.2, 95% CI: 5.5–74.8), history of tuberculosis (TB) (OR: 12.6, 95% CI: 2.1–76.8), and history of stroke (OR: 22.5, 95% CI: 6.8–74.2). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The prevalence of depressive disorders was relatively low in Dubai compared to most countries. However, approximately 74% of individuals with depression were undiagnosed, indicating the need for screening programs. The odds of having depressive disorders were significantly higher among unmarried, unemployed, smokers, and those with a history of TB and stroke.

Objective:Hypertension prevalence has risen over the last decades around the world. The latest estimates showed that nearly one-third of the adult world population is having hypertension (31.1%, 1.39 billion). Minimal data is available on the prevalence and correlates of hypertension (HTN) and pre-hypertension (PHTN) among adults in Dubai. [1,2].The study aims to measure the prevalence of HTN and PHTN, and the associated socio-demographics, behavioral risk factors and comorbidities among the adult population of Dubai.Design and method:This study used data from the Dubai Household Health Survey, 2019. A cross-sectional population survey based on a complex multistage stratified cluster sampling design. The sample frame of the survey is the population of Dubai. Sampling weights were used for this study to account for sampling design. The total eligible sample included 2,530 adults (include both Emirati and non-Emirati who are 18+). HTN and PHTN were operationally defined according to the diagnostic cut-off points of the WHO criteria [3]. Binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with HTN and PHTN.Results:The overall prevalence of HTN in adults was 32.5% (38.37% in males and 16.66% in females). PHTN was prevalent in 29.8% of adults in Dubai (28.85% in males and 32.31% in females). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age groups, gender, occupations, and high Body Mass Index of the participants were significantly associated with a higher risk of HTN. Males, obese and participants enrolled in skilled and service works had higher risk of HTN, compared with the reference groups. For the correlates of PHTN in the present analysis, skilled and service workers and overweight individuals were associated with a higher prevalence of PHTN.Conclusions:his study showed a high prevalence of HTN and PHTN among adults in Dubai. Some socio-demographic and behavioral risk factors were identified as correlates of HTN and PHTN. Interventions aiming at increasing public awareness about such risk factors are essential. It is important to reallocate the healthcare services and resources to the groups of higher need among adults in Dubai.