Obesity is linked to as many as 229 diseases and may shorten life by five to 11 years, senior endocrinologists and medical specialists have warned, calling for early lifestyle changes and medically supervised treatment.
The experts said Pakistan now has access to some of the world’s most affordable advanced medicines and therapies for obesity, diabetes and related complications.
More than 1,100 doctors from Sindh and other parts of the country attended the Metabolic Health Forum at Getz Pharma’s Astola facility. They described obesity as a major driver of diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, disability and premature death.
Endocrinologist Dr Abbas Raza said obesity causes or contributes to 229 diseases. He said data showed knee osteoarthritis in 52 percent of obese people, hypertension in 51 percent, sleep apnoea in 40 percent, fatty liver disease in 29 percent, heart attacks and diabetes in 21 percent each, and major depression in 19 percent.
He said one in four Pakistanis, or 25 percent of the population, is living with obesity, including women and children. He said obesity is not an issue of appearance or willpower.
Dr Raza blamed urbanisation, sedentary routines, sugary drinks, energy-dense foods and limited physical activity for the rising burden.
He said more than 75 percent of people with excess weight do not consider themselves overweight or obese and therefore fail to change their lifestyles or seek help before complications develop.
Dr Raza said Pakistanis are fortunate to have early access to advanced medicines at affordable prices. He said semaglutide can help suitable patients alongside healthier diets, exercise and long-term follow-up.
International Diabetes Federation figures show that 34.5 million Pakistani adults have diabetes, with prevalence reaching 31.4 percent. Dr Raza said obesity is often addressed only after complications emerge.
Getz Pharma Deputy Managing Director Zeeshan Ahmed said the company has invested heavily in manufacturing, quality systems and research to provide safe and effective medicines.
He said Getz Pharma exports medicines to about 45 countries and is expanding into Eastern Europe and South America while also generating local treatment data.
Prof A.H. Amir said GLP-1 medicines act like a natural signal that helps control appetite and blood sugar. He said they could prove cost-effective by preventing hospital admissions, disability and expensive heart and kidney complications.
Prof Saeed A. Mahar said body mass index is useful but should not be the only factor in treatment decisions. He said doctors should also consider waist size, illnesses and previous attempts involving diet and exercise.
Dr Faisal Masood Qureshi said Pakistan is producing affordable weight-control medicines that meet international quality standards. He stressed uninterrupted supply and safeguards against counterfeit products and unsupervised use.
Evidence presented at the forum showed that semaglutide may offer benefits beyond weight and blood sugar control. The SELECT study found a 20 percent reduction in cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke, while the FLOW study reported a 24 percent reduction in serious kidney outcomes among relevant high-risk patients.
Experts said a major trial found that patients receiving semaglutide lost nearly 15 percent of their body weight. An Endocrine Practice review also reported possible heart, kidney, liver and quality-of-life benefits.
The panel discussion included Dr Saima Askari, Dr M A Ebrahim, Prof Karim Kammeruddin, Dr Jawaid Sami, Dr Najam Mahmudi, Dr Saif-ul-Haq, Dr Shahid Akhtar, Dr Shakeel Haider and Dr Ali Asghar.
Organisers said free guidance from medical experts was available at health-fitness.pk or by calling (021) 111-455-455.
The experts warned that semaglutide is not a miracle injection and should not be used for unsupervised cosmetic weight loss. They called for healthier lifestyles, trained prescribers, affordable treatment, and protection against counterfeit medicines.
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