Assessment and Mitigation Strategies for the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the UAE: A Focus on Obesity among University Students

Obesity is prevailing among the UAE population, and it is observed from a recent study in 2023, it was found that 3 out of 10 are obese. This study investigates obesity among the UAE population and highlights the need to implement intervention target mainly the university students. This study adopts quantitative approach collecting secondary data in the form of literature review and from different relevant sources to observe global and local intervention in practice and propose intervention for university students (UNI.FIT HUB). This intervention aims to provide effective monitoring, assessment and evaluation of each student and consequently provide management plans to ensure the obesity is reduced among the students. The findings of this study indicated that in the UAE, there is need for AI-based obesity reduction application among the university students which offers wide range of features for effective obesity reduction and prevention and control measures. Some of the risk factors identified are lack of physical activity, attitude towards healthy diet and lifestyle, fast food, fat rich food, and high calorie soft drinks.