KARACHI: Obesity is associated with as many as 229 diseases and may reduce life expectancy by five to 11 years, according to endocrinologists and other medical specialists who called for earlier recognition, healthier lifestyles and medically supervised treatment of the chronic condition.
The warning was issued at the Metabolic Health Forum, held at Getz Pharma’s Astola facility, where more than 1,100 doctors from Sindh and other parts of Pakistan discussed the country's growing obesity and metabolic disease burden.
Experts described obesity as a medical condition that can affect multiple organ systems and contribute to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, disability and premature death, while emphasising that its management requires more than simply advising patients to lose weight.
Obesity affects multiple organs
Dr Abbas Raza, Endocrinologist, said obesity should not be viewed merely as an issue of appearance or willpower, but as a serious medical condition capable of affecting almost every organ in the body.
He cited data showing that knee osteoarthritis affects 52 percent of people living with obesity, while hypertension affects 51 percent, sleep apnoea 40 percent, fatty liver disease 29 percent, and heart attacks and diabetes 21 percent each. Major depression was reported in 19 percent.
Dr Raza said one in four Pakistanis was living with obesity, with women and children increasingly affected.
He identified urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, sugary drinks, energy-dense foods and insufficient physical activity among factors contributing to the growing burden.
Many people may not recognise excess weight as a health risk
A further concern raised at the forum was that many people may not recognise that they are living with overweight or obesity.
Dr Raza said more than 75 percent of people with excess weight did not consider themselves overweight or obese, potentially delaying lifestyle changes and medical intervention until complications emerge.
The issue is particularly significant in the context of Pakistan's diabetes burden. Citing International Diabetes Federation figures, Dr Raza said an estimated 34.5 million Pakistani adults were living with diabetes, with diabetes prevalence reaching 31.4 percent.
The close relationship between excess weight, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes makes obesity prevention and treatment an important component of broader metabolic health strategies.
Experts discuss role of newer obesity treatments
While specialists stressed that dietary improvement, physical activity and sustainable lifestyle changes remain central to obesity management, they also discussed the role of newer medicines for appropriately selected patients.
Dr Raza said Pakistanis now had access to advanced medicines at comparatively affordable prices. He specifically discussed semaglutide, saying it could help appropriate patients manage body weight and reduce associated health risks when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan under medical supervision.
Prof A.H. Amir explained that GLP-1 medicines act on pathways involved in appetite and blood-sugar regulation, helping patients manage food intake and metabolic health.
He said the value of such medicines should not be assessed solely according to their immediate treatment cost, but also in the context of their potential to reduce hospitalisations, disability and costly cardiovascular and kidney complications.
Clinical evidence points beyond weight loss
The forum also highlighted evidence suggesting that semaglutide's potential benefits may extend beyond weight reduction and blood-glucose control.
The SELECT trial reported a 20 percent reduction in cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack and non-fatal stroke among the relevant high-risk population studied.
The FLOW trial reported a 24 percent reduction in serious kidney outcomes among the relevant patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Experts also referred to a major clinical trial in which patients receiving semaglutide lost nearly 15 percent of their body weight.
A review published in Endocrine Practice was also cited for evidence suggesting potential benefits involving cardiovascular, kidney and liver health, as well as quality of life.
These findings, however, relate to specific clinical trial populations and treatment contexts and should not be interpreted as evidence that semaglutide is appropriate for everyone living with obesity.
Doctors caution against one-size-fits-all treatment
Specialists at the forum emphasised that obesity treatment should be individualised according to a patient's medical history, existing conditions and previous attempts at weight management.
Prof Saeed A. Mahar said body mass index (BMI) remained a useful measure but should not be the sole basis for treatment decisions.
He said doctors should also consider waist circumference, existing illnesses and previous efforts to manage weight through diet and exercise when assessing patients.
The emphasis on a broader clinical assessment reflects the complex nature of obesity, which can vary substantially between individuals even when their BMI is similar.
Access, quality and safe prescribing remain concerns
Dr Faisal Masood Qureshi said Pakistan was producing affordable weight-management medicines that met international quality standards.
He stressed the importance of uninterrupted medicine supplies, trained prescribers and stronger safeguards against counterfeit products and unsupervised use.
The concerns are particularly relevant as growing public interest in weight-loss medicines can increase demand outside formal medical care.
Experts at the forum made clear that semaglutide is not a miracle injection and should not be used for unsupervised cosmetic weight loss.
Getz Pharma highlights investment and local health data
Speaking at the forum, Zeeshan Ahmed, Deputy Managing Director of Getz Pharma, said the company had invested billions of rupees in manufacturing, quality systems and research.
He said Getz Pharma currently exported medicines to more than 40 countries and was expanding into Eastern Europe and South America.
According to Ahmed, the company was also generating local treatment data aimed at supporting better health outcomes in Pakistan.
Experts call for broader metabolic health response
The panel discussion, titled “Let’s Talk Metabolic Health,” was moderated by Dr Saima Askari and included 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 through health-fitness.pk or by calling (021) 111-455-455.
The discussions ultimately highlighted that addressing Pakistan's obesity burden requires a combination of healthier lifestyles, earlier recognition, appropriate diagnosis, trained healthcare professionals and access to evidence-based treatment.
With obesity increasingly linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney complications and other chronic conditions, experts stressed that treatment should focus on long-term metabolic health rather than cosmetic weight loss alone.
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