In short
Overweight is a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9, or 23 to 24.9 in people of Asian origin. Overweight alone carries a low risk, but overweight with a large waist or a weight-related condition carries a moderate risk and qualifies for treatment.
Condition Overview
What is overweight?
Overweight is a BMI of 25 to 29.9 in White, Black and Hispanic adults and 23 to 24.9 in adults of Asian origin. BMI overestimates fat in very muscular people and underestimates it in older adults who have lost muscle. The next stage is obesity.
How risky is overweight?
The risk of overweight depends on the waist and on weight-related conditions, according to clinical guidance.
| Situation | Risk |
|---|---|
| BMI 25 to 29.9, normal waist, no related condition | Low: preventing further gain |
| BMI 25 to 29.9 with a large waist or a related condition | Moderate: weight loss treatment |
Weight-related conditions include high blood pressure, prediabetes, abnormal blood fats, fatty liver and sleep apnoea.
Why is waist size measured in overweight?
Waist size is measured because BMI between 25 and 29.9 misses abdominal fat, which carries most of the risk. 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: belly fat in men.
Does a small weight gain matter?
Yes, a small weight gain matters: 5 kg or more gained after age 18 in women and 20 in men raises the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes at every BMI. Stopping further gain is therefore a goal in itself.
Overweight in Dubai and the UAE
How common is excess weight in young adults in the UAE?
Among 33,327 Emirati men aged 18 to 29, 24.4 percent were overweight and 28.0 percent had obesity, and 41.3 percent had raised fasting blood sugar (Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, 2019).
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).
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.
When lifestyle is not enough: GLP-1 weight loss treatment or metabolic weight loss. Keeping weight off: weight maintenance.
When to See a Doctor
- Your BMI is 25 to 29.9 and your waist is above the limit.
- You have high blood pressure, prediabetes or fatty liver with overweight.
- You gained 5 kg or more in the last few years.
- You want a plan before weight becomes obesity.
- Unexplained rapid weight gain with swelling of the legs: assessment of heart, kidneys and thyroid.
- Weight gain after a new medicine: review with the prescribing doctor.
- Binge eating with loss of control: assessment for an eating disorder.
How Dr. Felix Assesses This
-
1
Weight history
Onset, weight changes, earlier attempts, eating pattern, sleep and medicines.
-
2
Examination
BMI, waist, blood pressure, and signs of thyroid, hormonal or other causes.
-
3
Blood tests
HbA1c, lipids, liver enzymes and thyroid function (TSH), plus targeted tests.
-
4
Risk and plan
Health risk graded low, moderate or high, and the treatment plan.
Treatment Options
Metabolic Weight Loss Program in Dubai
Metabolic syndrome is the combination of abdominal fat, raised blood sugar, abnormal blood lipids and high blood pressure. Clinical guidance…
View Treatment
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…
View Treatment
Weight Maintenance Program in Dubai
Weight comes back because the body treats the previous weight as its target. After weight loss it releases hormones that…
View Treatment
Why Early Treatment Can Matter
Treating overweight early stops the drift to obesity and its complications. Small changes in weight at this stage prevent larger problems later.
Why Early Treatment Can Matter
Treating overweight early stops the drift to obesity and its complications. Small changes in weight at this stage prevent larger problems later.
Prevention
Further weight gain is stopped early.
Hidden risk
Abdominal fat and early prediabetes are found.
Simple plan
A plan that fits the level of risk.
Cost & Consultation Investment
The cost of an overweight 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 25 to 29.9 counts as overweight, and 23 to 24.9 in people of Asian origin.
Overweight alone carries a low risk; with a large waist or a weight-related condition the risk is moderate.
Weight loss medicine is considered from a BMI of 27 with a weight-related condition when lifestyle has not reached 5 percent weight loss.
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.
- Cardiometabolic risk factors among young Emirati men
- High prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors amongst young adults in the United Arab Emirates: the UAE Healthy Future Study
- MOHAP National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024-2025
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.