Today's Edition
SAMIHAH ZAMAN (ABU DHABI)
As obesity rates continue to rise across the globe, healthcare leaders in the UAE are intensifying efforts to combat the growing public health challenge.
By ensuring rapid access to advanced therapies, personalised care, and early intervention, the UAE is equipping residents with the latest medical innovations designed to fight the lifestyle condition, prevent chronic disease, and support long-term health and wellbeing.
In April, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) announced the introduction of a new daily oral obesity treatment – Foundayo – under its Personalised Weight Management Programme, which is managed in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC).
The introduction of the therapy made the UAE only the second country in the world after the United States to approve the treatment for adults living with obesity, or with excess weight and comorbidities.
The move further underscored Abu Dhabi's leadership in advanced healthcare delivery, particularly in the battle against lifestyle diseases like obesity.
Advanced Therapies
The emirate's healthcare ecosystem has long provided comprehensive bariatric surgery options to help patients shed excess weight, and it is now increasingly embracing next-generation GLP-1 therapies that are delivering promising results in weight management and metabolic health.
Despite the international stigma, experts say these treatments help patients achieve more sustainable weight loss while also improving related conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease risk, and insulin resistance.
"There's a common belief that people should lose weight through diet and exercise alone. In reality, this overlooks how complex [human] metabolism actually is," Dr Noor Naji, Consultant in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine, Burjeel Medical City, told Aletihad.
She explained that GLP-1 drugs are medications that mimic a natural gut hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1: "[In healthy patients,] this hormone is released after eating and helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. The treatments make patients feel full sooner and for longer periods. They slow how quickly food leaves the stomach, help the body release insulin only when needed, and reduce excess glucose production. The result is better blood sugar control and reduced calorie intake, which leads to weight loss."
Treatment Options
The UAE market now offers a broad range of GLP-1 medications, giving patients and physicians multiple options to tailor therapies based on individual health needs and lifestyles.
Among the most widely known are Ozempic and Wegovy, both based on the semaglutide peptide molecule and administered as weekly injections. While Ozempic was originally developed for type 2 diabetes, it has become well established for weight management. Wegovy, meanwhile, is a higher-dose semaglutide specifically approved for obesity treatment.
Other options include Mounjaro, a newer dual-action injectable tirzepatide medication that targets both GLP-1 and GIP hormones. According to Dr Naji, Mounjaro often produces greater weight loss and improved blood sugar control compared to semaglutide-based therapies.
Rybelsus is a daily tablet version of semaglutide primarily used for diabetes management. While it is easier to use, Dr Naji said it is generally less effective for weight loss and is better suited for the management of type-2 diabetes.
The newest entrant is Foundayo, based on the orforglipron molecule, which offers patients an oral alternative for obesity management - a development experts say could significantly improve treatment adherence. In fact, the convenience of oral therapies may help patients overcome barriers linked to injection hesitancy and long-term adherence.
Paradigm Shift
Medical experts say the growing acceptance of GLP-1 therapies reflects a broader shift in how obesity is understood.
"Obesity is now understood as a chronic, relapsing medical condition, not simply a lifestyle choice. When someone loses weight through dieting alone, the body often responds by increasing hunger hormones and slowing metabolism, which makes long-term weight loss extremely difficult. GLP-1 medications help correct these biological signals. For patients with conditions like type 2 diabetes, PCOS, or significant obesity, they are treating the medical problem," Dr Naji said.
Experts are even exploring the safety of GLP-1 medications to combat growing rates of obesity and type-2 diabetes in children and adolescents.
"The anticipated approval of an oral formulation for children with type 2 diabetes represents a meaningful milestone in paediatric care. For many young patients, particularly those who struggle with injections, a pill-based option could significantly lower the barrier to treatment and support greater day-to-day adherence," said Dr Motaz Azzam, senior paediatric endocrinology fellow at Al Jalila Children's Hospital.
"It is [also] important to be clear: this is not a quick fix. Medication is one component of a broader care strategy. Healthy lifestyle habits, strong family support, and consistent medical follow-up remain the cornerstones of effective [weight] management," he added.
Tips on Safe GLP-1 Use
Start with a low dose and increase gradually, as tolerated. This helps minimise nausea, the most common side effect associated with GLP-1 medications.
Eat smaller, lighter meals. Heavy, fatty, spicy or highly acidic foods can worsen symptoms.
Stay well hydrated and aim to consume between two and three litres of water daily.
Prioritise protein intake to help prevent muscle loss during weight reduction.
Increase physical activity, ensuring between 150 and 300 minutes of exercise each week.
Attend regular follow-up appointments with your doctor, particularly if you have diabetes, as ongoing monitoring is essential.
Avoid taking GLP-1 medications without a doctor's prescription.
Only use regulated medications obtained through licensed healthcare providers.
