6th UAE Obesity Conference, supported by M42’s Healthpoint and Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, ends successfully

The sixth edition of the UAE Obesity Conference, supported by M42’s Healthpoint and Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, was held on 16-17 November at the Rosewood hotel in Abu Dhabi. In partnership with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), the World Obesity Federation, Abu Dhabi Conventions and Exhibition Bureau, and the Emirates Diabetes and Endocrine Society, the conference gathered global experts and healthcare professionals to discuss the latest strategies in obesity management. The conference continues to attract increasing numbers of participants each year, with over 500 delegates attending this year’s edition, including endocrinologists, nurses, dietitians and surgeons.

H.E. Dr. Ahmed Abdulhadi AlKhazraji, Acting Director-General of ADPHC graced the opening ceremony as the chief guest. H.E. Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of the Community Health Sector at ADPHC, along with Johanna Ralston, President of the World Obesity Federation, spoke on the topic, ‘Obesity: A Global Burden We Can No Longer Ignore’, alongside other prominent obesity scientists and advocates.

This year, as co-chairs for the event, Healthpoint and Imperial College London Diabetes Centre led strategic discussions at the conference on the prevention and management of obesity in the modern age. Dr. Sara Suliman, Consultant Endocrinologist, Diabetologist and Clinical Lead for Obesity and Bariatrics at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, and Dr. Mohammed Al Hadad, Consultant Bariatric Surgeon and Head of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at Healthpoint, contributed to these discussions. The event also featured the inaugural edition of the World Obesity Federation (WOF) MENA Conference, held under the theme ‘Obesity is a Multi-Organ Disease’. According to the World Health Organization, one in eight people in the world is obese, with a total of 890 million individuals living with the condition. With obesity linked to numerous health complications and significant economic impacts for the UAE, estimated at nearly $12 billion annually,1 the conference served as a platform for discussing effective prevention and management strategies.

Commenting on obesity, Dr. Al Hajeri said: “We are committed to tackling the root causes of obesity, recognizing it as a critical health issue. We promote healthy eating and lifestyle choices and our collaborations with organizations such as the World Obesity Federation align our strategies with global

standards for obesity prevention and treatment. This partnership provides access to the latest research and innovations in managing obesity, aiming to enhance local healthcare practices.”

Dr. Al Hadad added: “It was a pleasure to engage in thought-provoking and impactful discussions with counterparts from around the world, including the UK, the US, Canada, and the Gulf region. ADPHC’s vision, under the able guidance of H.E. Dr. Ahmed Abdulhadi AlKhazraji, is to drive public awareness and improve outcomes around the management of chronic conditions such as obesity. Together, we were able to leverage our diverse experiences and approaches to find effective solutions for combating obesity and fostering global learning. My session on bariatric surgery focused on ongoing efforts to enhance patient outcomes through innovative techniques and personalized care strategies designed to meet varied patient wellness needs.”

Dr. Suliman said: “I thank H.E. Dr. Ahmed Abdulhadi AlKhazraji for his presence and constant guidance for driving the successful completion of the sixth edition of this pivotal event, which brought international experts to Abu-Dhabi to discuss the latest updates in obesity and the management of this growing condition globally. Imperial College London Diabetes Centre plays a key role in tackling obesity, diabetes and other related diseases. This conference provided a unique opportunity to learn from international experts, share knowledge and collaborate on innovative solutions that can significantly impact patient outcomes, not just in the UAE, but worldwide.”

I was excited to share my insights on ‘Obesity in Women Across the Lifespan’ and I hope it has succeeded in shedding light on the unique challenges in managing obesity at different stages of life and the benefits of treating obesity in young women of child-bearing age (or earlier) for the prevention of this occurrence in future generations. I am particularly interested in exploring advancements in both medical and lifestyle interventions that can be integrated into our clinical practice to provide comprehensive care for our patients.”

Jaynaide Powis, Head of Data and Evidence, World Obesity Federation, joined the lineup of speakers, who shed light on the ‘Economic Impact of Obesity in the UAE’. H.E. Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri discussed ‘Local Guidelines: What Is There and What Is Coming’, and Dr. Fatheya Al Awadhi, President of the Emirates Diabetes and Endocrinology Society, spoke about ‘Obesity in Numbers in the UAE and MENA Region.’

The formidable line-up of world-renowned speakers included Professor Arya Sharma from the University of Alberta, Canada, who has authored and co-authored over 350 scientific articles. This includes the Edmonton Staging Criteria for obesity diagnosis that was developed to improve the lives of those affected by obesity. Other internationally renowned experts included Professor Carel Le Roux, University College Dublin, former President of the World Obesity Federation, Professor Donna Ryan, Pennington State University and former President of the World Obesity Federation, Professor Volkan Yumuk, President of the European Association for the Study of Obesity.

The UAE Obesity Conference is a CME-accredited event and has been awarded 4.0 SCOPE points by the World Obesity Federation.