Challenges of Addressing Obesity in Saudi Arabia
A systemic thinking approach is a holistic approach that focuses on the way constituent parts interrelate and how systems work. The system approach has greatly influenced the understanding and change of organizations. It broadens our minds and enables us to view systems in a wider perspective and compromises seeing overall structures, cycles and patterns in systems rather than focusing on a specific event in the system. By focusing on the entire structures, it is easy to identify a solution to address many problems as possible. The intersectoral approach regards the activities influencing health outcomes commenced by sectors outside health sectors. They may collaborate with the health sectors but is not necessarily. Both system thinking approaches and intersectoral approaches are fundamental in addressing diabetes
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Saudi Arabia has the second-highest rate of diabetes in the Middle East and seventh in the world (Robert, 2016). Thus, obesity poses a significant health threat in the country. Extreme levels of obesity are attributed to increased growth in the prosperity of the country. Harsh climates accompanied by high daytime temperatures discourage adequate levels of exercise. The statistics are frightening and the government needs to come up with a measure to address the diabetes problem. Thus, the government needs to apply the systemic thinking approach and intersectoral approach in dealing with rising obesity in the country.
It is worrying considering that diabetes in the country has registered approximately ten folds over the past few years. The rapid urbanization, aging population and substantial change in lifestyle leave high probability persistent occurrence of the chronic condition in the future. The cost of treating diabetes is extremely very high in Saudi Arabia. It imposes an economic burden on the individual, systems of national healthcare and countries. The health burden due to diabetes is likely to rise to catastrophic levels unless there is the incorporation of wide-ranging epidemic control (Rantala, Bortz & Armada, 2014). To manage diabetes properly in Saudi Arabia, a systemic approach and an intersectoral approach are required.
World Health Organization constitution defines health as a state of complete, mental, physical and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of infirmity or disease (World Health Organization, 2018). Healthy living is regarded as a choice, actions, steps, and responsibilities taken to achieve optimum health for an individual and others. Incorporating a systemic approach employs various interventions and health-promoting strategies (Edwards, 2017). The plans and intervention should be able to encourage the behavior of an individual to produce positive health effects and reduce negative health effects.
Systemic Thinking Approach and Intersectoral Approach
The systemic thinking approach provides a platform to aid examine factors encompassed in a problem, the interaction between these factors and changes over a certain period (Bagnall, 2019). It observes activities as combined across social, political, economic, cultural and scientific domains within the systems (Lee et.al. 2017). It illustrates how systems respond to interventions, feedback and what drives some of the responses. Obesity is not a simple problem with rectilinear cause and effect relationship but rather it is a system problem that requires a systematic approach.
After wide consultation with the stakeholders, based on the systemic thinking approach, there is a various approach that can be taken by the Saudi Arabian government to prevent and control obesity prevalence in the country. The strategies target different groups adults, elderly and children. Encouraging healthy eating in the workplace is an essential strategy and comprises promoting healthy eating, information on physical activity and stress management. Also, a healthy lifestyle should be promoted through religion. Hence, develop an awareness of the relationship between health and religion and promoting religious principles and values related to a healthy lifestyle. Promote healthy living in schools and universities. Thus, create awareness on a healthy lifestyle and encourage individuals to seek healthy options. Firmly, the government should ensure there is a growth of health-conscious society.
Obesity is caused by complex arising issues. In Saudi Arabia, obesity is mainly caused by diet. Practically it is not possible to make people change their unhealthy diet leading to obesity. There is a significant rise in obesity in the country. It is estimated that almost 7 million people have diabetes and almost 3 million are prone to diabetes. It affects peoples of all ages and caused by complex reasons. Systemic thinking approach cannot deal with emanating complex situations (Gibbons, 2012).
Systemic approach thinking is not suitable at handling an epidemic crisis. Many people are dying the chronic condition while focusing on the changes in diet, lifestyle, and mediation. The systems of health should be working effectively for the systemic approach to be effective. However, if there are problems in implementing the plans, the systemic approach fails.
Stakeholders mainly comprise of experts, clinicians, practitioners, related community organizations and policymakers from various organizations and ministries. Stakeholders primarily are involved in both implementation and design plans (Gholap, 2017). They give an insight into the technical aspects of the plan and various task forces. In Saudi Arabia, the stakeholders should give a decision regarding the whole process of systemic approach and intersectoral approach.
Strategies in Addressing Obesity in Saudi Arabia
National and local government is the main stakeholder and aid in achieving and realizing healthy living. At all levels, the government has the responsibility for health protection and disease prevention of its people (Rantala, Bortz & Armada, 2014). They create a framework policy that promotes health. The ministry of health is the main stakeholder actor and should provide quality medical care and education regarding the healthy lifestyle of living. The ministry of communication has an essential role in promoting healthy living through broadcasting and Tv shows on the healthy practices that can promote a healthy outcome and reduce obesity chances.
Conclusion.
Conclusively, the obesity epidemic has continued to rise illustrating that interventions and policies have not been fully effective in Saudi Arabia. However, it is a chronic condition that can benefit from the system thinking approach. The systems approach has transformed various professions and can transform obesity control and prevention. The government should integrate the system thinking approach to deal with an ever-rising chronic condition of obesity. A system approach takes into consideration matters from a wider perspective rather than focusing on a linear way. Thus, identifying many solutions to a particular problem. Obesity is caused by various factor and hence a systemic approach can be fully effective in looking for a solution.
Obesity is significantly high and it is expected the rise in the future. There is an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in the country. There is a need for the Saudi Arabian government to combat this issue. Thus, it is essential to raise the issue at a national level and come up with strategies and design efforts to manage the epidemic. The stakeholders such as educators, policymakers, healthcare providers and citizens should implement the strategies that promote healthy living and hence reduce obesity in the country.:
References
Bagnall A. (2019). A whole systems approach to obesity and other complex public health challenges: a systematic review. Retrieved from: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-018-6274-z
Edwards N (2017). How can systems’ approaches be optimally used to advance the primary prevention research agenda? Retrieved from: file:///C:/Users/Computer%201/Downloads/UKPRP%20Nancy%20Edwards.pdf
Gholap M. (2017) Major stakeholders in Health Care System. https://www.slideshare.net/meghshamgholap/major-stakeholders-in-health-care-delivery-system
Gibbons T. (2012). The Limitations of Systems of Thinking. Retrieved from: https://tms-americas.com/2010/06/the-limitations-of-systems-thinking-reflections-on-our-recent-web-meeting/
Lee B et.al. (2017). A System approach to obesity. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5207008/
Rantala R, Bortz M & Armada F. (2014). Intersectoral action. Local governments promoting health. Retrieved from: https://academic.oup.com/heapro/article/29/suppl_1/i92/647605
Robert A. (2016). Diabetes Mellitus in Saudi Arabia. A review of the recent literature. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26206092#targetText=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20(WHO,3%20million%20have%20pre%2Ddiabetes.
World Health Organization. (2018). Systems approach global and national physical activity plans. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/97/2/18-220533/en/
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