Key Takeaways
- Health experts in Lahore advocate treating obesity as a chronic disease.
- Obesity rates in Pakistan have surged, with 23% of adults living with the condition.
- Dr. Tanveer Abbas, a leading bariatric surgeon, emphasizes the need for personalized medical care.
Health experts in Lahore have called for a medical approach to treating obesity, emphasizing the need for expanded access to medical and surgical care in Pakistan.
With over 1 billion people worldwide living with obesity, the issue has become a significant public health challenge, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In Pakistan, the situation is particularly concerning, with 23% of adults living with obesity, marking a 16.4% increase over the previous decade, as per WHO data for 2022.
Obesity rates are projected to rise, with 57% of Pakistani children potentially becoming obese by age 35 if current trends continue, according to projections.
Dr. Tanveer Abbas, recognized as Pakistan’s youngest bariatric surgeon with the highest surgical volume, highlighted the need to move away from viewing obesity as a matter of lifestyle or willpower.
Through his work at Chisel Health, Dr. Abbas has established a dedicated obesity-focused centre offering comprehensive assessment and treatment under one roof.
The centre provides a multidisciplinary approach to weight management, focusing on advanced bariatric surgery and weight loss procedures.
“We need to stop seeing obesity as a failure of willpower. It is a chronic disease. With the right medical and surgical support, patients can achieve long-term health outcomes, not just weight loss,” Dr. Abbas stated.
The Obesity Awareness Week, concluded with an event in Lahore, brought together patients, healthcare professionals, and community members for discussions on awareness, education, and modern treatment options.
The event underscores the growing recognition of obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease linked to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other non-communicable diseases.
Experts emphasize the importance of personalized medical care and evidence-based treatment, moving away from the traditional view of obesity as a lifestyle issue.
We need to stop seeing obesity as a failure of willpower. It is a chronic disease.
Dr. Tanveer Abbas, Pakistan’s youngest bariatric surgeon with the highest surgical volume
