The Real Delivery Capital of the World

For far too long, America has been lauded as the ‘fat’ capital of the world. We’ve all seen the Oprah segments on fat Americans and ways that they are trying to get healthy. However, there is a country that is just as fat as America and a real contender for wrestling away the ‘large and in charge’ crown from Americans – Kuwait.

The state of Kuwait has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world. According to a recent study by the Ministry of Health in Kuwait, which is ranked in the top ten of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International list of diabetes offenders, 15% of Kuwaiti adults have diabetes and adult expatriates living in the country represent another 11%. Children in Kuwait are also suffering from the disease with 22 out of every 100,000 children also being afflicted with the disease. The WHO estimates that a whopping 80% of the Kuwaiti populous is obese.

This might be shocking to anyone who has never visited or lived in Kuwait. But it is not surprising for anyone who has spent time in the tiny oil-drenched Gulf state, where an iced-cold Pepsi is preferred to blase water. Blame it on the heat of the desert or all the Dinars lining most Kuwaiti’s pockets, but the vast populous of Kuwait is as lethargic as the sun is scorching. The very social fabric of the society revolves around the ability to do as little work as possible for as long as possible.

That’s why, if you go to any governmental office in Kuwait, you are forced to wait in line while the supposed-workers have their morning, afternoon or ‘just because’ cup of steaming black tea. The lack of inertia and down right apathy extends into most peoples lives, whether Kuwaiti or expatriate. Why exert your own energy when you can simply pay, or coerce, someone into doing it for you?

Case in point, the system of delivering food to homes in Kuwait has got to be the most heinous and laziest point of operation in the entire world! Everything from Krispy Kreme donuts to fluffy pink cupcakes to freshly baked chocolate chip cookies can be delivered right to your door in Kuwait. Even American fast food chains, like Baskin Robbins and Burger King, that don’t deliver food to homes in America do deliver food in Kuwait.

And forget about will power. These junk food pushers inundate their customers with flashy menus dropped right off at the doorstep and flagrantly tout their delivery services of highly caloric and fat-laden wares. And what’s even more problematic is that the fast food is just as affordable in Kuwait as it is in America and carries the same ‘Super-Sized’ dilemmas.

The problem is very real, as any traffic jam in Kuwait will tell you. Fast food delivery cars are prevalent all around the streets as the drivers race to beat the clock and deliver the orders on time.

However, there is a tiny ray of light at the end of the artery-clogging tunnel. A small, but fierce, group of healthy food delivery joints has begun to take root in Kuwait. One of the first health pioneers in Kuwait is called Diet Care and for a price patrons can have three low fat and healthy meals, prepared under the auspices of a nutritionist, delivered right to their door. Diet Care has teamed up with a newer diet initiative called Get Healthy Kuwait, which provides weight loss services for anyone seeking to battle their bulge in Kuwait.