Obesity Linked to 229 Diseases, Experts Warn in Pakistan

Obesity is connected to up to 229 diseases, posing a serious health threat that may reduce life expectancy by five to eleven years, warn senior medical experts in Pakistan. At the Metabolic Health Forum held at Getz Pharma's Astola facility, over 1,100 doctors from across the country highlighted obesity as a primary cause of diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, disability, and early death.

Dr. Abbas Raza, an endocrinologist, stated that obesity contributes to or causes 229 conditions, including knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, sleep apnoea, fatty liver disease, heart attacks, diabetes, and depression. Approximately 25 percent of Pakistanis, including women and children, are affected by obesity.

The rise in obesity is attributed to urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, consumption of sugary drinks and energy-dense foods, and insufficient physical activity. Dr. Raza emphasized that a significant portion of people with excess weight do not recognize their condition and do not change their lifestyles or seek assistance before complications arise.

Pakistan has access to advanced medicines and therapies for obesity and related complications at relatively affordable prices. Semaglutide, a GLP-1 medicine, can help suitable patients alongside healthy diets, exercise, and ongoing medical supervision.

Prof A.H. Amir explained that GLP-1 medicines function like a natural signal to control appetite and blood sugar levels, potentially proving cost-effective by preventing hospital admissions, reducing disability, and avoiding expensive heart and kidney complications. Prof Saeed A. Mahar suggested that body mass index alone is not sufficient for treatment decisions; instead, doctors should consider waist circumference, existing illnesses, and previous unsuccessful attempts at diet and exercise.

Dr. Faisal Masood Qureshi assured that Pakistan is manufacturing affordable weight-control medicines that adhere to international quality standards, and urged for uninterrupted supply and safeguards against counterfeit products and unsupervised usage.

Research studies have shown that semaglutide can lead to a 20 percent reduction in cardiovascular death, heart attacks, and strokes, and a 24 percent decrease in serious kidney outcomes for high-risk patients. However, experts emphasized that semaglutide is not a miracle solution and should only be used under medical supervision for genuine weight management, not for cosmetic purposes.

The panel discussion included numerous medical professionals who stressed the importance of healthy lifestyles, properly trained prescribers, affordable treatment options, and the prevention of counterfeit medicines.