Nutritional disorders associated with affluence in Bahrain

In this paper the nutritional disorders associated with affluence in Bahrain are reviewed and analysed. Heart diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cancer, and dental caries are becoming the main public health problems in the country. The major aetiological factors leading to such a situation are change in lifestyle, high per capita income, change in food consumption patterns, and ineffective preventive measures. Programmes to control the disease of affluence should be given a high priority in any health plan. Emphasis should be placed on initiating intervention nutrition programmes, training health staff and carrying out epidemiological studies.