What is it about?
This visual essay explores how everyday city streets in Kuwait reflect the country’s obesity problem. Through photographs, it shows how fast-food advertising is everywhere—on billboards, buses, buildings, and roads—making these foods highly visible and easy to access. The study suggests that constant exposure to these ads may encourage people to consume more fast food, which can contribute to unhealthy eating habits and rising obesity rates. By highlighting what people see daily, the essay calls for stronger public health actions, such as regulating fast-food advertising, to help create healthier environments.
Featured Image
Photo by Diane Picchiottino on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This work offers a unique visual perspective on obesity by documenting how fast-food advertising shapes everyday urban environments in Kuwait. It is timely as obesity rates rise globally, highlighting an overlooked link between city design and health. By making this issue visible, it can inform public debate, influence policy, and encourage healthier urban planning and advertising practices.
Perspectives
Living in Kuwait, I was struck by how fast-food advertising dominates everyday street views. Through this visual essay, I share my observations to spark reflection on how such environments shape habits and raise questions about healthier urban futures.
Dr Juhri Selamet
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Kuwait & obesity: what can you see from the city streets?, Cities & Health, January 2022, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/23748834.2022.2029242.
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