Health Promotion Programs to Reduce Noncommunicable Diseases: A Call for Action in Kuwait

Abstract

Most public health issues in Kuwait are related to unhealthy behaviours. Research shows that behaviours are the result not only exclusively of personal choices but also of myriads of other social and environmental factors. Kuwait is one of the leading countries in obesity and tobacco use in the world. Cardiovascular diseases stemming from complications related to these and other risk factors are important health issues based on their morbidity and mortality implications. These risks are spread across society and affect the old as well as young boys. The serious gaps between Kuwait’s health-related needs and the existing policies to reduce public health risks in Kuwait create a significant obstacle to healthy behaviour change. Kuwait requires adequate laws, policies, regulations, activities, and programs to promote people’s health. The Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) has been used successfully in health promotion in various behavioural settings, including obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking. We propose the use of SEM as a planning framework in building sustainable health promotion programs in Kuwait while paying attention to other concepts such as systems thinking, authentic community participation, community capacity, policy development, public health infrastructure enhancement, health coaching, and equity.

Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors in Kuwait: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Other factors such as a decrease in the consumption of fast food; an increased consumption of fresh and homemade foods among Kuwaitis [ 43 ]; and working from home [ 28 ] have been attributed to healthier shifts in food consumption. Consuming a more balanced, nutrient-dense diet, in the long-run, has the potential of improving physical health outcomes such as controlling blood sugar, lowering cholesterol levels, etc., and consequently resulting in weight loss among children and adults in Kuwait [ 8 , 9 ].…”

“…It can be argued that, while females eat more to cope with stress, males smoke more. Both represent maladaptive coping responses that threaten to eliminate the gains of reducing the prevalence of non-communicable diseases within the Kuwaiti population [ 9 ].…”

“…Rapid changes in both the social environment and peoples’ behaviors have negatively impacted well-being [ 8 ]. Physical inactivity, smoking, and obesity are among the risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Kuwait [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Kuwait has the highest prevalence of insufficient physical activity globally (around 65% of adults do not meet sufficient levels of physical activity) [ 9 ].…”

“…Physical inactivity, smoking, and obesity are among the risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Kuwait [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Kuwait has the highest prevalence of insufficient physical activity globally (around 65% of adults do not meet sufficient levels of physical activity) [ 9 ]. Hence, any negative implications on diet and physical activity from the pandemic-related disruptions are bound to aggravate the already dire situation.…”

“…It is against this background that we identified the imperative need for a comprehensive evaluation of the changes in dietary behavior and physical activity among Kuwaiti residents. The knowledge of the changes in these modifiable risk factors among the Kuwaiti public is important for the rapid development of public health intervention programs to mitigate any potential negative health consequences [ 9 , 13 ]. Moreover, this study unveils the nature and prevalence of the effects of a pandemic such as COVID-19 on health behaviors, and provides recommendations for future preparedness.…”