Today's Edition
SAMIHAH ZAMAN (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi is stepping up efforts to address rising obesity rates through multi-pronged, community-wide programmes that help people manage their health, as World Obesity Day on March 4 draws attention to a condition now affecting more than 1 billion people worldwide.
The World Health Organization defines obesity as "abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health". If an individual's body mass index (BMI), measured as a ratio of height to weight, exceeds 30, they are classified as "obese", and "extremely obese" when it is above 35.
According to the latest UNICEF estimates, more than 400 million children and adolescents were classified as either overweight or obese in 2025. Of particular concern is the rising rate of childhood obesity, which now affects almost 20% of all school-aged children, compared with just 4% in 1975.
And if current patterns continue, half of the world's population - around 4 billion people - will face obesity or overweight by 2035, the World Obesity Federation warned in its 2023 Atlas.
Abu Dhabi's Strategy: Making Health a Habit, Not a Chore
According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention's 2023 Obesity Study, three in every 10 adults in the UAE are considered obese. Obesity rates were highest among women at 30.6%, followed by men at 25.1% and children at 17.3%, the study added.
In response to these figures, Abu Dhabi has launched a series of comprehensive initiatives designed to combat excess weight and promote healthy lifestyles among citizens and residents.
Foremost among them is the emirate's Healthy Living Strategy - announced in November 2025 - which takes a cross-sectoral, prevention-focused approach toward ensuring longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives. Developed under the guidance of the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), the strategy aims to drive positive behavioural change, with the first pillars centred on increasing physical activity, improving diet and nutrition, and raising awareness.
In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), the DoH has also launched a Personalised Weight Management Programme that integrates digital monitoring with tailored clinical support.
Open to Emirati adults identified as overweight or obese, the programme provides access to personalised health plans that include early screening, behavioural health support, clinical interventions, and ongoing long-term support.
The emirate also offers a wide variety of clinical pathways to manage obesity, including nutritional counselling, bariatric (weight-loss) surgery, and access to the latest weight-loss drugs.
To encourage healthier, more informed diet choices among consumers, Abu Dhabi has enforced mandatory nutritional labelling for food items sold in the emirate, giving products a grade from A to E.
Introduced by the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC) and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), the Nutri-mark label is currently visible on oil, dairy, beverages, baked goods, and children's food items.
The ADQCC, in collaboration with the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), has also updated the emirate's food and nutrition policy, with a renewed focus on children's wellbeing.
Effective March 30, the "Abu Dhabi Guideline for Unified School Nutrition and Food Safety" policy introduces a "Red List" of restricted foods and beverages to ensure that children eat well at school. The list covers a range of unhealthy options, including foods high in salt, sugar and fat, deep-fried items, carbonated beverages and non-halal meats.
Health Professionals See the Change
Healthcare professionals across the emirate say that Abu Dhabi's sustained efforts to promote healthier lifestyles have caused a visible shift, leading to a more well-rounded approach to obesity care.
"Obesity management in the UAE has advanced significantly over the past few years. There is now greater recognition that obesity is a chronic medical condition, not simply a lifestyle choice. Clinical care has become more structured, with multidisciplinary programmes involving doctors, dietitians, physiotherapists, and behavioural counsellors," Dr Mohamed Mustafa Elsheikh, Consultant Internal Medicine at Burjeel Medical Centre in Al Falah, told Aletihad.
Addressing patients looking to beat obesity, Dr Elsheikh advised a focus on patience and consistency.
"For patients managing weight concerns, the first step is to seek medical guidance and assess weight in the context of overall health. Setting realistic goals is important, as even modest weight loss of 5-10% can yield meaningful health benefits.
"Patients should [aim for] sustainable lifestyle changes, including balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and stress management, rather than quick fixes. Using available support systems, such as multidisciplinary teams or programmes like the DOH's weight management initiative, can help maintain motivation," he added.
With the growing popularity of prescription treatments for chronic weight management, Dr Hazem Aly, Clinical, Medical and Regulatory Affairs Director at Novo Nordisk UAE, warned that there is no one-off solution to obesity. Instead, he urged patients to look at their weight concerns through a broader lens.
"Treating obesity well means looking at the whole person. Medicines can help people under medical supervision, but lasting change comes from ongoing support: healthy eating, regular activity, mental wellbeing, and teamwork with healthcare professionals. Medication should help that effort, not take its place," he told Aletihad.
