Diabetes affects almost 30 percent of the Saudi Arabian population and is spreading to other Gulf countries, Saudi Health Minister Hamad al-Manie declared. "Diabetes is likely to become an epidemic in the Kingdom as it has affected nearly 30 percent of its population," he added.

Al-Manie attributed the problem to hereditary factors and unhealthy lifestyles. "As much as 52 percent of the Kingdom's population is obese [and] more than 80 percent of diabetic patients suffer from obesity," according to the ministry.