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 A...