Obesity quietly undermines Pakistan’s economy, with annual costs reaching approximately $3.41 billion – more than Rs950 billion – and could soar to $7.6 billion (around Rs2.13 trillion) by 2030 unless immediate actions are implemented, according to warnings from healthcare professionals on Saturday.
During an awareness event organized at the National Press Club Islamabad with information sourced from the World Obesity Federation, leading endocrinologists and public health authorities characterized obesity as not only a critical national health crisis but also a significant economic burden. They highlighted that this issue leads to higher costs for both public and private medical services, greater employee absences, decreased work efficiency, and earlier fatalities due to conditions associated with obesity.
The increasing strain caused by non-communicable illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart conditions, fatty liver disease, and kidney issues—all tied to excessive body mass—is depleting crucial national assets and diminishing the workforce’s productivity. A concerning trend was revealed during a complimentary health check organized jointly by NPC and Getz Pharma involving approximately 150 journalists along with their relatives. Over 70% of those examined were identified as either overweight or obese, whereas nearly one-quarter exhibited indications of diabetes and raised blood pressure levels. Specialists have labeled these outcomes as an urgent signal for every segment of society, particularly government officials, demanding immediate attention.
The well-known endocrinologist Professor Rauf Niazi stated that between 70% and 80% of people in Pakistan, even among children, currently qualify as either overweight or obese. He attributed this issue to uncontrolled intake of high-carbohydrate foods, processed snacks, sugary beverages, and fast food, along with a lack of physical activity. "Obesity is causing erectile dysfunction in men and infertility in women because of polycystic ovary syndrome," he cautioned, adding that obesity is primarily responsible for premature cases of diabetes, stroke, heart attack, and kidney issues via metabolic alterations.
Professor Niazi disclosed that more than 85 percent of people might already be affected by fatty liver disease—a perilous condition frequently overlooked as it interferes with cholesterol processing, incites inflammation, and increases heart-related risks. "This situation is like a ticking time bomb; individuals usually do not realize they have an issue until it’s beyond repair," he warned, emphasizing the necessity for adopting simpler, healthier living habits. He highlighted, “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) maintained a lean physique through eating sparingly, regular walking, swimming, and exercising alongside Hazrat Ali. This should serve as our guiding principle,” he insisted.
Dr. Mumtaz Ali Khan, who leads Communicable Disease Control at the National Institute of Health, stated that Pakistanis are growing older more rapidly because of obesity and unhealthy lifestyles. According to him, most people checked at the National Population Council were found to have biological ages that surpassed their chronological ones by about ten years. He warned that this trend means "we’re turning into a sickly and aged population much sooner." Additionally, as a pediatrician, Dr. Khan voiced serious worries regarding increasing levels of childhood obesity, attributing it partly to excessive use of screens, consumption of junk foods, and insufficient exercise. “We often wrongly associate being overweight with good health among kids,” he noted. “This belief can be very harmful.”
Dr. Muhammad Ali Arif, an endocrinologist at PIMS Islamabad, has urged for fiscal and policy measures to address the issue. He stated, "There should be significant taxation on white sugar, baked goods, sweetened beverages, and highly processed foods. Such products are not essential nutrients yet are being consumed excessively."
By classifying obesity as a disease rather than a matter of personal choice, he emphasized the importance of widespread education, behavior modification therapies, and organized lifestyle transformation initiatives. He highlighted that individuals should consume 25 to 30 percent fewer calories, opt out of eating roti and rice whenever feasible, steer clear of beverages with high caloric content, and incorporate basic practices such as regular walks and thorough mastication into their routines.
Experts likewise suggested the monitored administration of recently approved anti-obesity drugs like GLP-1 agonists for individuals suffering from long-term obesity. These treatments, which have become accessible locally, may aid in decreasing body weight by 10 to 15 percent and provide significant health advantages when utilized correctly.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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