DAMMAM: The Scientific and Educational Committee of the Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association (SDEA) has demanded the introduction of 10 amendments to the ingredients and specifications of fast foods in the Kingdom. School cafeterias serve a variety of junk food that endangers the lives of youngsters.



Kamil Salama, SDEA's secretary-general, said: "About 71 percent of deaths in the Kingdom are caused by diabetes, obesity and heart ailments. In addition, these diseases also cause disability."

He said fast food contains large amounts of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and salt, while lacking many essential nutrients, which leads to higher rates of obesity and other diseases.

The suggested amendments include the reduction of meat fats to 20 percent in all fast foods, the preparation of chicken burgers to be conducted only after removing the skin and without putting salt into the mixture, cutting down the fat content in cheese to 10 to 20 percent, use grilling and baking instead of frying, offering fruit and vegetable salads with meals, and fresh juices instead of fizzy and sugary beverages.

The committee also called for a reduction in the use of hydrogenated fats, which could be achieved by preparing sandwiches and pizza with wheat flour, in addition to advertising the number of calories on the packaging of each meal.

"This emergent situation has encouraged many countries to make drastic changes to the preparation and ingredients of fast food," the committee said, calling on the ministries of health and industry and trade and the Saudi Food and Drug Administration to expedite the preparation of health regulations.

It also called on Saudi citizens to eat less fast food, appealing to businessmen and managers to educate their employees on the importance of eating healthy food, and the introduction of low-fat meals on menus in hotels.

Salama said that the Kingdom has been ranked seventh globally in the percentage of patients afflicted by these diseases. Meanwhile, a recent report published by the World Health Organization advanced Saudi Arabia's position to No. 3 after Qatar and Kuwait among the countries having the world’s highest rates of obesity.

Research conducted by the King Saud University has found that 70 percent of Saudi males and 75 percent of Saudi females are obese, and more than 80 percent of type two diabetes patients are obese, said Salama.