SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi hosted the 6th UAE Obesity Conference and inaugural WOF MENA Conference at the Rosewood over the weekend.
Endorsed by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, the World Obesity Federation (WOF) and the Strategic Centre for Obesity Professional Education (SCOPE), the event brought together global experts to discuss obesity management strategies.
Specialists from M42, Cleveland Clinic, University College Dublin, King Fahad Medical City and Dasman Diabetes Institute acknowledged Abu Dhabi's role in advancing obesity care.
On the sidelines of the event, Dr. Sara Suliman, Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre and Dr. Mohammed Al Hadad, Consultant in Bariatric and General Surgery and the Acting Medical Director of Healthpoint, shared their insights with Aletihad on tackling obesity.
The relationship between obesity, insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes is complex.
Dr. Sara explained that "obesity is the main cause of the risk of type 2 diabetes; up to 90% of type 2 diabetes is related to obesity".
She also noted that weight loss, either through bariatric surgery, medication or very low-calorie diets, has shown that it can lead to remission of type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Al Hadad pointed out that "obesity is not only linked to diabetes, but also to more than two diseases, and diabetes is on the top of the list."
He explained the decision-making process in determining the appropriate surgical procedure, saying, "We have to make sure the patient qualifies for surgery according to the standard of care for the management of obesity."
The criteria is body mass index and associated health issues. Gastric bypass surgery is usually more suitable for patients with type 2 diabetes, he said.
Dr. Suliman expanded on the significance of a multi-disciplinary approach in medical centres, involving experts like psychologists, dietitians and renal physicians to select the most suitable surgical procedure for each patient.
Commenting on the relationship between obesity and hormonal imbalances, she clarified that hormonal imbalances are rare, saying, "The largest cause of obesity is genetic predisposition in combination with the current environment."
Dr. Al Hadad noted that studies show all type 2 diabetes patients will experience improvement after bariatric surgery.
About 50% of these patients will not need medication after surgery, and the other 50% will need less medication than before, he said.
"Managing obesity, in general, is a team effort," Dr. Suliman said, recommending non-surgical treatments and recommending a holistic approach.
Effective interventions included good sleep hygiene, adequate hydration, regular activity, as well as a diet with less processed foods.