Brief
UAE doctors warn that childhood obesity is causing adult‑type diseases
Doctors in Dubai and Abu Dhabi say obesity in children is now linked to adult health problems and call for structured support beyond simple diet advice.
By Felo News Desk · Published
UAE doctors said children and teenagers with obesity are increasingly showing health conditions that were once considered adult‑only, such as insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels.
What happened
Specialists observed a rise in young patients presenting with metabolic complications. Dr Mamata Bothra, a paediatrician at International Modern Hospital Dubai, noted the trend of obesity appearing at younger ages and being accompanied by adult‑type conditions. Dr Bart van Wagensveld, a bariatric surgeon at the Weight Style Clinic in Abu Dhabi, highlighted that teenagers aged 10‑19 are especially at risk of serious complications, including type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and psychological distress.
What the reports add
The article links the warning to the World Health Organization’s first global guidelines on obesity care for children and adolescents, which state that 170 million people aged 5‑19 were living with obesity in 2024, up from 2 % in 1990 to 8 % today.
What was said
"We are also seeing obesity accompanied by problems that were once considered predominantly adult conditions," Dr Bothra told Khaleej Times. "Simply telling a child to ‘eat less and exercise more’ is not an obesity treatment programme," she added, calling for individual assessments, realistic goals and regular follow‑up involving paediatricians, dietitians and psychologists.
Dr van Wagensveld said, "Early obesity in younger children is also worrying because it often tracks into adulthood," and stressed the need for structured diet, activity and behaviour‑change support, as recommended by WHO.
Key facts
- Obese children in the UAE are developing insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels. (khaleejtimes.com)
- WHO reported 170 million children and adolescents worldwide were living with obesity in 2024. (khaleejtimes.com)
- Dr Mamata Bothra and Dr Bart van Wagensveld emphasized the need for individualized assessment and structured support beyond simple diet advice. (khaleejtimes.com)
Sources
- [1] khaleejtimes.com — originally reported as “UAE doctors warn of ‘adult’ health problems in children with obesity”
