{
  "id": 3641480,
  "title": "Weight-loss medicine must be paired with lifestyle changes, UAE obesity expert says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/weight-loss-medicine-must-be-paired-with-lifestyle-changes-uae",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-27T02:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/08/27/weight-loss-medicine-must-be-paired-with-lifestyle-changes-uae-obesity-expert-says/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A leading UAE health adviser emphasized that weight-loss medicines like Mounjaro and Wegovy must be paired with long-term lifestyle changes to be truly effective, according to the Dubai International Pharma and Technologies conference. Dr Mohammad Fityan, group chief medical officer at Burjeel Holdings, stated that GLP-1 drugs, which curb hunger hormones, provide around 50-60% of the solution, while the remaining 40-50% is up to the patient. These medicines function by emulating hormones that control appetite, enabling individuals to feel satiated for extended periods. Dr Fityan stressed that patients who incorporate lifestyle modifications alongside medication are more likely to lose and maintain weight. He repeatedly emphasized that medication alone is insufficient and urged patients to adopt healthier habits immediately. By integrating these changes, patients could potentially lower the risk of numerous obesity-related ailments and even reverse Type 2 diabetes. Some insurance providers are now tying coverage for obesity treatment to patients' physical activity levels, as Dr Fityan explained. If patients do not meet daily step targets, they may not receive reimbursement. Lifestyle changes should encompass more than just diet and exercise; they should also address sleep patterns and work schedules. Dr Fityan stressed that while pharmacotherapy offers a partial solution, the most significant impact lies in the patient's commitment to change. UAE obesity data revealed that global projections predict a 18% prevalence by 2031, but the UAE has historically exceeded this average. A recent report from Whiteshield and Eli Lilly, Mounjaro's manufacturer, indicated that reducing obesity in the UAE by 1.2 million people could add 6.8 years to their healthy lifespan. An intensified weight-loss program in the UAE aimed to decrease obesity rates from 32% to the global average of 18%, potentially saving $1.5 billion in health costs associated with chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.",
  "summary": "GLP-1 weight-loss medicines such as Mounjaro and Wegovy have transformed obesity treatment in the UAE, but they should be combined with lasting lifestyle changes, a leading UAE health adviser has said. Experts at the three-day Dubai International Pharma and Technologies conference described the transformative impact of GLP-1 drugs in the UAE, which suppress hunger hormones. Dr Mohammad Fityan,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Weight-loss medicine must be paired with lifestyle changes, UAE obesity expert says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/weight-loss-medicine-must-be-paired-with-lifestyle-changes-uae-3645186",
        "published": "2026-08-27T02:00:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}