London: A new report is launched today by the World Obesity Federation (WOF) in collaboration with experts from across the Gulf and Lebanon. It reveals the recommendations being made by some of the region’s most eminent specialists for the treatment and management of adult obesity.
Using the WOF’s “SCOPE School” virtual conference platform, around 1,000 healthcare clinicians and professionals will learn about the report’s findings as part of a three-day programme addressing the theme of “Obesity Across the Lifespan”.
The report is the product of a meeting in Oman last December when a group of clinicians and stakeholders gathered to discuss how they could share their experiences for the good of the Gulf region in the treatment and maintenance of obesity. At that time, no one could have predicted the COVID 19 pandemic and the increased risk its presents to those living with obesity.
The group were facilitated by World Obesity Federation (WOF) who have been supporting colleagues in the region for many years. Dr Donna Ryan, immediate past president of WOF, said: “The region is well positioned to address this major public health problem. It has good systems already in place, highly qualified health leaders and a commitment to improving the lives of local people. Working with colleagues in the Middle East on this project has been the highlight of my WOF experience.”
The report identifies multiple treatment strategies for patients once they have been diagnosed as living with obesity, however, the diagnosis itself is often the first challenge. Reasons for the failure to diagnose obesity include, but are not limited to, failures in primary care to see obesity as a priority, inadequate obesity training for health professionals, and widespread normalization of excess weight.
It stresses that the starting point to the delivery of comprehensive, multi-disciplinary obesity care is the recognition of obesity as a chronic, progressive and relapsing disease by all parties. This includes governmental bodies, healthcare providers, insurers, healthcare professionals, patients and the general public.
It calls attention to eight specific benefits to the widespread recognition of obesity as a disease, including greater commitments to training and policies which eliminate weight related prejudice and stigma. Another key recommendation the report suggests is that a more holistic approach is taken to patient evaluation, going beyond the accepted Body Mass Index (BMI) and embracing the Edmonton Staged Approach, which encompasses other wellbeing criteria, including mental health. It then identifies strategies that should be delivered through primary, secondary and tertiary levels of patient care.
One country which is demonstrating active progress in recognising obesity as a disease is the United Arab of Emirates. Dr Sara Suliman a co-author of the report and a Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist says “Standardising care for patients with obesity will help in recognition of Obesity as a disease and will provide a framework for appropriate management of obesity to try and prevent as well as manage long-term complications. We are also delighted to host the regional SCOPE school for the World Obesity Federation on the 22-24th October 2020, and the 2nd UAE Obesity conference on November 26-28th 2020, the theme of which will be “Obesity across the lifespan” to raise awareness of the risks of obesity as early as in pregnancy, early childhood and then later in life.”
The recommendations highlight the wide range of stakeholders who should be involved in the patient journey enabling a healthier lifestyle, as well as looking at the different entry points into the healthcare system.
Finally, the document looks at individual countries in the Gulf and Lebanon, their prevalence of obesity by gender, the availability of in country guidelines and what pharmacological interventions are available. The recommendations are an invaluable document for anyone interested in or involved in the treatment and management of people living with obesity.
© Press Release 2020
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