In short
Obesity is a chronic disease of excess body fat that harms health, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, or 25 or more in people of Asian origin. Obesity raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnoea, fatty liver and several cancers. In the UAE, 22.4 percent of adults have obesity.
Condition Overview
What is obesity?
Obesity is excess or abnormal body fat that presents a risk to health, in the definition of the World Health Organization. Obesity is a chronic disease: body weight is defended by hormones that drive regain after loss. The step below it is overweight.
How is obesity classified by BMI?
Obesity is classified by body mass index (BMI), weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. The table lists the classes for White, Black and Hispanic adults.
| BMI | Class |
|---|---|
| 25 to 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30 to 34.9 | Obesity class I |
| 35 to 39.9 | Obesity class II |
| 40 or more | Obesity class III, severe obesity |
For people of Asian origin, overweight starts at a BMI of 23 and obesity at 25. In a study of almost 1.5 million people in England, the diabetes risk of White adults at a BMI of 30 was reached at a BMI of 26.6 in Arab adults and 23.9 in South Asian adults.
Why does waist size matter in obesity?
Waist size matters because fat around the abdomen raises the risk of heart disease, diabetes and fatty liver independently of BMI. A waist of 102 cm or more in men and 88 cm or more in women counts as raised, and 90 cm and 80 cm in people of Asian origin. A waist-to-height ratio above 0.5, a waist more than half the height, confirms excess fat.
What causes obesity?
Obesity is caused by genes interacting with too much energy intake and too little activity; genes account for over 50 percent of the risk. Medicines such as insulin, sulfonylureas, steroids and some antipsychotics, stopping smoking, pregnancy and poor sleep add to it. Underactive thyroid, Cushing’s syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome are rarer contributors: weight loss with hypothyroidism and PCOS weight gain.
What health risks come with obesity?
Obesity raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnoea, fatty liver, osteoarthritis and several cancers. Weight gain of only 5 kg after age 18 in women and 20 in men raises the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Health benefits start with a loss of 5 percent of body weight, about 5 kg at 100 kg.
How is obesity assessed?
Obesity is assessed with BMI, waist, a history and 4 blood tests: HbA1c or fasting glucose, lipids, liver enzymes and thyroid function. The assessment grades the health risk as low, moderate or high, which decides how intensive treatment is. Routine genetic tests and metabolic rate measurements do not help.
Obesity in Dubai and the UAE
How common is obesity in the UAE?
The national UAE health survey 2024 to 2025 found obesity in 22.4 percent of adults, more than 1 in 5, high blood pressure in 25.9 percent, raised blood sugar in 12.5 percent and too little physical activity in 59.1 percent (MOHAP survey, reported by WAM).
In the UAE Healthy Future Study of 5,167 adults aged 18 to 40, abnormal blood fats affected 62.7 percent and obesity 26.5 percent, about 6 and 3 in 10 young adults (BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 2023).
Why are unlicensed weight loss products a risk in the UAE?
The Emirates Drug Establishment acted against 71 sources and 14 influencers selling unapproved weight loss peptides in July 2026 and advised buying medicines only from licensed pharmacies (Gulf News, 2026).
Dr Felix treats within the scope of his Dubai Health Authority licence. When a case needs a specialist view, for example suspected Cushing’s syndrome, a severe eating disorder or weight loss surgery, the decision is made together with an endocrinologist, psychiatrist or bariatric surgeon.
How obesity is treated: GLP-1 weight loss treatment, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Foundayo. All options: Medical Weight Loss Dubai.
When to See a Doctor
- Your BMI is 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition.
- Your waist is above 102 cm as a man or 88 cm as a woman.
- Diet and exercise have not reached 5 percent weight loss in 6 months.
- You have high blood pressure, prediabetes, fatty liver or sleep apnoea.
- Rapid weight gain with purple stretch marks, a round face and muscle weakness: tests for Cushing’s syndrome.
- Snoring with pauses in breathing and daytime sleepiness: sleep apnoea assessment.
- Chest pain or breathlessness on exertion: heart assessment first.
How Dr. Felix Assesses This
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1
Weight history
Onset, weight changes, earlier attempts, eating pattern, sleep and medicines.
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2
Examination
BMI, waist, blood pressure, and signs of thyroid, hormonal or other causes.
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3
Blood tests
HbA1c, lipids, liver enzymes and thyroid function (TSH), plus targeted tests.
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4
Risk and plan
Health risk graded low, moderate or high, and the treatment plan.
Treatment Options
GLP-1 Weight Loss Treatment in Dubai
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) is a hormone the gut releases after eating. GLP-1 increases insulin release when blood sugar is…
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Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) for Weight Loss in Dubai
Mounjaro is tirzepatide, a once-weekly injection that activates both the GIP and the GLP-1 receptor. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) and…
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Wegovy for Weight Loss in Dubai
Wegovy is a prescription medicine containing semaglutide, licensed for weight loss and weight maintenance. Semaglutide acts like GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide…
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Foundayo Weight Loss Tablet in Dubai
Foundayo is a once-daily orforglipron tablet for chronic weight management, made by Eli Lilly. Orforglipron is a small-molecule oral GLP-1…
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Why Early Treatment Can Matter
Early treatment of obesity prevents complications that are harder to reverse later, such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver and joint damage. A loss of 5 percent already improves blood sugar, blood pressure and blood fats.
Why Early Treatment Can Matter
Early treatment of obesity prevents complications that are harder to reverse later, such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver and joint damage. A loss of 5 percent already improves blood sugar, blood pressure and blood fats.
Measurable benefit
Health improves from 5 percent weight loss.
Complications prevented
Diabetes, fatty liver and joint damage are caught early.
One assessment
Risk, causes and options in one visit.
Cost & Consultation Investment
The cost of an obesity assessment covers the consultation with Dr Felix, the examination, the blood tests that change the plan and the written plan. Dr Felix explains the full cost before anything is done.
Frequently Asked Questions
A BMI of 30 or more counts as obesity, and 25 or more in people of Asian origin.
Yes, obesity is a chronic disease in which hormones defend body weight and drive regain after loss.
HbA1c or fasting glucose, lipids, liver enzymes and thyroid function, plus targeted tests when the history points to a cause.
The cost covers the consultation, examination, blood tests and written plan. Dr Felix explains the full cost before anything is done.
Evidence
Where this information comes from
Every figure on this page is taken from the sources below. All of them are free to read, so you can check them yourself.
- MOHAP National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024-2025
- High prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors amongst young adults in the United Arab Emirates: the UAE Healthy Future Study
- UAE weight loss drug crackdown: 71 sources, 14 influencers face action
This page is general medical information and does not replace a personal consultation. Trial results are averages across large groups, not a prediction for any one person.