‘Childhood obesity is societal issue, not a personal choice’

Doha, Qatar: Childhood obesity in the region, including Qatar, is widely misunderstood as a matter of individual discipline or quick policy solutions,...

Doha, Qatar: Childhood obesity in the region, including Qatar, is widely misunderstood as a matter of individual discipline or quick policy solutions, according to a Doha-based health expert.

However, it is a long-term challenge shaped by biology, economics, urban design, and social norms, one that requires sustained, collective action.

“There’s a misconception that obesity is simply about personal choice,” said Manager of Content and Policy at WISH, a global health initiative of Qatar Foundation, Maha El Akoum.

“In reality, it’s far more complex. It’s not just a child choosing unhealthy food or choosing not to exercise, but it’s a societal issue.”

Speaking on an Afikra podcast produced in collaboration with Qatar Foundation, El Akoum described childhood obesity as one of the most pressing and misunderstood public health challenges facing Qatar and the wider Gulf region.