Health & Medicine

Dubai Diet: UAE Weight Loss Plan Pays Participants in Gold

Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Jul 17, 2013 08:04 AM EDT

A new diet in Dubai that's hoping to address the obesity epidemic in the United Arab Emirates actually pays participants for their weight lost in gold.  

It's known as the Dubai Diet, and officials say they're starting this new weight loss regimen in an order to hault the rising obesity levels in the area.

According to the Associated Press, the diet gets a bit richer than we could have imagined, depending on how much flub you're able or willing to work off. In fact, for each kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight lost in this 30-day challenge, officials are ready to dish out a gram of gold, with a minimum drop of two kilograms, or 4.4 pounds, to cash in.

Dubai Official Hussain Lootah was quoted Wednesday that there is no limit on the payout for the golden losers, but they must sign up by Friday, according to local media publications.

According to the World Health Organization, 39.9 percent of UAE women are obese, making the country the seventh highest proportion in the world. And for men, around 25.6 percent are classified as obese, making them the ninth highest proportion in the world.

Officials say this plan has been composed as a last resort to encourage healthier eating habits, exercise practicies and overall lifestyle in the United Arab Emirates, despite continous growing concerns. 

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