Obesity declared key driver of chronic illnesses

IV Report

KARACHI: Leading medical experts have raised serious concerns over the alarming rise in obesity in Pakistan, terming it the "mother of all non-communicable diseases" and linking it directly to life-threatening health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, infertility, and early mortality.

Speaking at a health awareness event held at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on May 12, specialists stressed the urgent need for lifestyle changes to curb the rapidly growing obesity crisis across all age groups.

The event, comprising expert lectures and a screening and awareness camp for KPC members and their families, revealed staggering statistics: 80% of the population reportedly has an unhealthy waist circumference, 35% of women, and 28% of children are classified as obese.

“Obesity is not just a cosmetic concern or lifestyle choice—it is a disease,” emphasised Dr Asma Ahmed, a prominent endocrinologist from Aga Khan University Hospital. Citing survey data, Dr Ahmed noted that more than four out of five adults in the country have waistlines that exceed healthy limits. “This condition leads to a chain of serious medical complications: diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, infertility, and even organ damage,” she warned.

Particularly alarming was her observation about the rise of childhood obesity. “Children today have reduced physical activity, increased screen time, and poor dietary habits. Mothers must become more aware and proactive in ensuring their children eat simple, healthy foods and stay physically active,” she urged.

Dr Ahmed also highlighted the hidden epidemic of high blood pressure, stating, “Many people remain unaware of their hypertensive condition until complications arise. Timely diagnosis and management are key.”

Dr Nazish Butt, Head of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), echoed these concerns, urging policymakers and communities to acknowledge obesity as a disease in itself. “In Karachi, the situation is particularly dire. We’re seeing rising obesity, especially among women and children, primarily due to sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary habits,” she said. Dr Butt stressed the importance of initiating lifestyle reforms at the grassroots level. “We need to get people moving again—this starts at home and extends to the wider community.”

In addition to sedentary lifestyles, experts pointed to excessive screen time, consumption of junk food, and irregular sleep patterns as major contributing factors. “We are raising a generation that is both obese and malnourished,” Dr Ahmed noted grimly.

The event was facilitated by Hamid-ur-Rehman, Secretary of the KPC Health Committee, along with representatives from Getz Pharma, including Mikail Soomro and Agha Sadiq, who supported the lecture series and on-site health screening services.

Representing Getz Pharma, Dr Wajiha Javed shared insights from the Pak Sehat baseline demographic survey, revealing that over 80% of women and 70% of men in Pakistan are obese. “About 50% of adults have hypertension, and one in three is diabetic. These are not isolated conditions—they are all interconnected, and obesity lies at the center,” she explained.

Experts concluded that addressing obesity requires a multifaceted approach, including dietary education, promotion of physical activity, early diagnosis, and policy-level interventions. A call was made for stronger public health messaging and community involvement to prevent further escalation of what is becoming a national health emergency.