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Volume :47 Issue : 2 2019
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The Prevalence of Obesity in Kuwait: A Case Study among Kuwait University Students Using GIS
Auther : Mohammad Alnasrallah Muhammd Almatar
This study seels to understnad the spatial relationship between the geography and its effect on obesity prevalence among Kuwait University students. The sample involved 735 participants, 231 male and 504 females, most of whom were overwight and obese. The percentage of overweight was 21% (BMI25-30), while the percentage of obesity was 13.7% (BMI30). The percentage of both overweight and obese people reached 34.7%. In the sutdy area, there were 327 fast food restaurants located in differenct places of the urban area. This study used the Geographic Information System to analyse the distribution of obesity and fast food restaurants. The study found that within half a kilometre of fast food outlets, there were 33% of people with normal weight (BMI25), 30% of overweight people, while the percentage of people who were considered obese reached 43%, which is a clear indication that obesity is linked with the procimity of the location of fast food restaurants. One of the significant tools used in this study was hot and cold spots. The study found that areas of hot spots of fast food restaurants tended to be located in areas of hot spots of obese people, In conclusion, studying the prevbalence of obesity from a gepographical perspective hepls understand this public health issue and the impact of gepography on it.
Key words: Kuwait, Obesity Prevalence, GIS, Fast Food Restaurants.