ID :
355582
Wed, 01/28/2015 - 18:40
Auther :

Qatar Biobank Pilot Phase Shows 73% of Population Are Overweight

Doha, January 28 (QNA) - Qatar Biobank, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), has released the findings of its two-year operational pilot phase, which revealed that 76 percent of male and 70 percent of female participants, from a sample of 1,200 are either overweight or obese. It also revealed that 52.7 per cent of the male participants and 31.7 per cent of female participants recorded pre-hypertensive (normal-high blood pressure levels) or hypertensive. Additionally, the pilot phase report showed that 80 percent of the sample population reported no level of moderate physical activity per week, while 73 percent of the sample population were classified as overweight. "As Qatar's scientists and scholars continue to engage in the shift from traditional genomics as the mapping of an individual's DNA, to population-based studies that will improve the lives of future generations, the ongoing medical research on the causes of prevalent diseases in Qatar and the initial findings of the pilot phase once again reveal the value of the work underway at Qatar Biobank," said Qatar Biobank Managing Director Dr. Hadi Abderrahim. As Qatar and the surrounding region continue to witness an increase in the number of people affected by diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, the report illustrates how Qatar Biobank continues to play a leading role in the development of personalized medicine through the field of genomics. Qatar Biobank also continues to support Qatar Foundation's mission to enhance national innovation and technology through medical research regarding prevalent health issues in Qatar. QF is committed to fostering a progressive society and promoting healthy lifestyles among the local population. Qatar Biobank's collection of samples and information on the health and lifestyles of large numbers of the national population makes vital medical research possible for scientists in Qatar, the region, and the world. With plans to initially collect samples from more than 60,000 participants from the local population, Qatari nationals or people who have resided in Qatar for more than 15 years are eligible to participate through the contribution of samples. This contribution involves attending an assessment session at the Qatar Biobank clinic that lasts less than three hours, and comprises the collection of a series of measurements including an individual's height, weight, blood pressure, and blood, urine and saliva samples. The health information obtained from medical records, DNA, lifestyle, and environmental exposures has the potential to provide further insights into the management and prevention of debilitating diseases common in Qatar. Genomics, a discipline in genetics that analyses the structure and function of genomes, the complete set of DNA within a single cell of an organism, is a rapidly emerging medical discipline. With 17 percent of Qatar's adult population suffering from type 2 diabetes, the knowledge and information collected by Qatar Biobank, will enable scientists to gain unique insights into the causes of these diseases, and tailor treatments matching individual genome coding within the next few years. "I would like to thank all of the volunteers who have come forward so far," said Qatar Biobank Chairperson Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari. "These volunteers are not only helping us builds one of the world's largest population-based biobanks, they are contributing to improving the health of the people of Qatar. Qatar Biobank is committed to raising the Arab world’s profile in the field of biomedical research, leading efforts for greater regional collaboration in this field, and creating an invaluable resource for research to develop medical treatments for an Arab population." (QNA)

X