The prevalence of obesity has been on the rise in recent years, with the UAE set to be on the list of top 10 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean with the highest prevalence of obesity. As per Obesity Atlas 2022, the prevalence of this ailment among children is 26.72% and teenagers at 21.00% and according to the BMI ≥30, BMI ≥35 and BMI ≥40 in males, it's from 37.01% to 12.28% to 3.37% while in females it's from 49.82% to 23.12% to 9.24% respectively1. These statistics clearly indicate that individuals in the UAE are on the verge of experiencing several ailments that occur due to obesity. I constantly remind my patients that obesity isn’t just a cosmetic issue – it’s a major health concern.
People living with obesity are at an increased risk of a number of serious health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancers and many other complications. While lifestyle changes such as dietary adjustments and exercise are the cornerstone for any weight loss intervention, these methods don’t always work for everyone and often are not enough for meaningful and successful weight management.
In recent years, there have been several medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of obesity. One of the most promising new treatments is medications from the family of GLP-1 receptor analogues. The GLP-1 RA medications are a type of weight loss medication that has been shown to be effective in helping people lose weight. These medications work by inhibiting hunger signals and increasing feelings of fullness.
They appear also to be generally safe and well tolerated. The GLP-1 medication is prescribed as part of a holistic lifestyle intervention that includes individual coaching and support with education on food, exercise, sleep, and emotional health. This is done in order to empower members to make lasting lifestyle changes, as metabolic health plays a vital role in a person’s weight loss success.
Dr. Rita Nawar, Medical Director, WEMA Health
Medicated weight loss solutions, when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise can help people suffering from obesity to finally achieve their weight loss goals and regain health. This is why I helped co-develop a multidimensional solution with some of the top medical experts in Europe called the WEMA Health program.
WEMA Health is a virtual-first, medicated, end-to-end obesity program that helps members lose up to 20% of their body weight, connecting them with endocrine specialists through its innovative, state-of-the-art app, with a focus on diet, exercise and psycho-social support by prescribing the GLP-1 medication to its members.
For more information, visit www.joinwema.com/en
