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Obesity

Obesity is a chronic condition characterized by excess body fat, and it’s affecting a growing number of adults in Dubai and around the world. In the UAE, modern lifestyles and dietary habits have led to rising obesity rates among adults, making effective weight management more important than ever. If you are struggling with your weight, you are not alone – and professional help is available. Our Internal Medicine department focuses on adult patients and specializes in comprehensive weight management in Dubai. We provide personalized care to help you achieve a healthier weight and improve your overall well-being.

Understanding Obesity

Obesity is typically defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above. For an adult, this indicates significantly more weight than is healthy for one’s height. Obesity is a complex medical condition influenced by many factors beyond just overeating – genetics, metabolism, hormones, and lifestyle can all play a role. Many adults in Dubai lead busy, sedentary lives and consume calorie-rich diets, which contributes to gradual weight gain. Additionally, certain medical conditions (such as an underactive thyroid or polycystic ovary syndrome) can cause weight gain or make weight loss more difficult.

It’s vital to recognize that obesity is not simply a cosmetic concern. This condition can have serious impacts on your health (as outlined below), but the good news is that it can be managed with the right support. It’s important to view weight loss as a long-term journey rather than a quick fix.

Health Risks of Obesity

Excess weight puts strain on your body and increases the risk of many health problems. Key obesity-related health risks for adults include:

  • Type 2 Diabetes: Being obese makes the body resistant to insulin, greatly increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • High Blood Pressure & Heart Disease: Overweight individuals are more prone to hypertension and high cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, or stroke.
  • Joint Problems: Extra weight places added stress on joints, often causing knee, hip, or back pain and contributing to conditions like osteoarthritis.
  • Sleep Apnea: Fat accumulation around the neck can lead to obstructive sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder where breathing stops briefly during sleep.
  • Liver Disease & Other Complications: Obesity can cause fatty liver disease (fat buildup in the liver) and is linked to a higher risk of certain types of cancer.
  • Mental Health: Weight issues can impact self-esteem and are sometimes associated with depression or anxiety.

By reducing obesity, you can significantly lower these health risks. In fact, even a modest weight loss of about 5–10% of your body weight can lead to noticeable improvements in blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Achieving a healthier weight will not only reduce your risk of chronic diseases but also boost your energy, mobility, and confidence.

Our Comprehensive Weight Management Program

At our clinic in Dubai, we take a comprehensive and personalized approach to obesity treatment. When you enroll in our weight management program, our team will perform a thorough evaluation and create a customized plan that suits your needs. Here’s what you can expect:

Complete Medical Assessment: We begin with an in-depth consultation and health check-up. Our doctor will review your medical history, discuss your diet and lifestyle, and conduct a physical exam. We measure metrics like your weight, BMI, and waist circumference. We also run important blood tests – including a thyroid profile, blood sugar and insulin levels, cholesterol, and liver and kidney function tests. This comprehensive assessment helps identify any underlying issues (for example, a thyroid imbalance or insulin resistance) that may be contributing to weight gain. Understanding your overall health is crucial for planning safe and effective weight loss.

Personalized Plan – Nutrition and Exercise: Based on your assessment results, we will develop a tailored weight loss plan for you. A cornerstone of this plan is healthy nutrition. We’ll guide you to adopt a balanced, calorie-controlled diet that provides all the nutrients your body needs while promoting weight loss. Our team gives practical advice on meal planning, portion control, and smart food choices that fit your lifestyle. Equally important is physical activity. We’ll recommend an exercise routine suited to your fitness level and schedule – whether it’s daily walks, gym workouts, or other activities you enjoy. The goal is to help you become more active step by step, in a sustainable way.

Medical Support and Treatment: In addition to lifestyle changes, our weight management program offers medical interventions when appropriate. Depending on your needs, our doctor may prescribe medical weight loss aids to support your efforts. We offer the latest safe and approved treatments, including appetite-suppressing medications and cutting-edge injectable therapies. Any medication is used carefully and under close supervision. These treatments can help jump-start your progress by controlling appetite or improving metabolism, but they work best alongside healthy eating and exercise.

Ongoing Support & Follow-Up: We schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress, adjust your plan as needed, and keep you motivated. If you encounter challenges or hit a plateau, our team will help you find solutions and encourage you to keep going. This consistent, compassionate support keeps you accountable and greatly improves your chances of achieving lasting results.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What lifestyle changes can help with weight loss and obesity management?

The foundation is a healthier diet and regular physical activity. Focus on a 

balanced, portion-controlled diet

: lots of vegetables and fruits, lean proteins (like fish, chicken, beans), and high-fiber foods (like whole grains), while cutting back on sugary, fried, and high-calorie processed foods. Swap soda and sugary drinks for water or herbal tea. Aim for 

regular exercise

 – for example, brisk walking, cycling, or swimming for at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. Also, get adequate sleep (poor sleep can affect hormones that control hunger) and find healthy ways to cope with stress (stress can sometimes lead to overeating). These changes, sustained over time, promote steady weight loss. Even a modest weight loss (5-10% of your body weight) can improve health significantly.

Obesity can contribute to many serious health issues. It significantly raises the risk of 

type 2 diabetes (excess body fat affects how your body uses insulin), high blood pressure and high cholesterol (which can lead to heart disease and stroke). It increases the strain on your heart and joints – obese individuals are more prone to heart disease, as well as joint problems like knee and back pain or osteoarthritis. Obesity is also linked to sleep apnea(pauses in breathing during sleep), certain types of cancer, fatty liver disease, and fertility or pregnancy complications. The good news: losing weight, even a moderate amount, can reduce these risks. For example, weight loss can improve blood sugar control, lower blood pressure, and ease stress on joints and lungs.

Weight loss is typically a gradual process – and it’s different for everyone. A safe, realistic pace is about 0.5 to 1 kg per week through a calorie-controlled diet and exercise. That means it can take several months to lose a significant amount of weight (for example, losing 10–15 kg might safely take 3–6 months or more). There isn’t a “permanent cure” in the sense that once you lose the weight it stays off effortlessly – maintaining weight loss requires ongoing healthy habits. Think of obesity management as a long-term lifestyle commitment. In some cases of severe obesity, medical interventions like weight-loss medications or bariatric surgery are used – these can lead to significant weight loss and can “cure” many obesity-related health issues like diabetes or hypertension. Even after such procedures, though, you must continue good eating and exercise habits to sustain results. The key point: treating obesity is an ongoing journey rather than a one-time fix. The effort is continuous, but the health benefits (more energy, lower health risks, improved self-esteem) are well worth it.

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Article Reviewed by

Dr. Fawaz Jasim Mohammed

Consultant Family Medicine

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