HEALTH   

Diabetes

Role of metabolic phenotyping in understanding obesity and related
conditions in GCC   

 'Obesity is a major health concern in the Middle East and the incidence is rising in all sections of the population. Efforts to control obesity through diet and lifestyle interventions, and by surgical means, have had limited effect, and the gene-environment interactions underpinning the development of obesity and related pathologies such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers are poorly defined. Lifestyle, genetics, inflammation and the interaction between the intestinal bacteria and host metabolism have all been implicated in creating an obesogenic environment. We summarize the role of metabolic and microbial phenotyping in understanding the aetiopathogenesis of obesity and in characterizing the metabolic responses to surgical and non-surgical interventions, and explore the potential for clinical translation of this approach.'
©      Ahmad et al. , Clin Obes. 2015 Nov 16. doi: 10.1111/cob.12121
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© The International Diabetes Federation

Diet

Novel Mediterranean diet index

The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, olive oil, fish and poultry is renowned for its health benefits. As the world becomes global in all aspects of life including diet, changes have been reported in the way people consume food and the diets they follow, this is also true for the MENA region.  A novel LMD index was proposed to assess adherence to a Middle Eastern version of MD, complementing international efforts to characterize the MD and its association with disease risk.
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© MENASCI

Stroke

Stroke national Data Lebanon

This is the first study conducted in the Middle East, assessing self-reported stroke symptoms among stroke-free residents. Our study showed that almost one in eight residents without a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack has had stroke symptoms. Major vascular risk factors are associated with these symptoms, thus allowing for prevention strategies.