ISLAMABAD:
Health experts have expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in obesity and depression among Pakistan’s youth, revealing that approximately 38 million people across the country are affected by obesity.
The issue was brought into focus at a seminar titled “Unprecedented Partnerships for a Healthier Tomorrow,” aimed at raising public awareness and promoting collaborative efforts to combat obesity in Pakistan.
Addressing the seminar, Jakob Linulf, Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, underscored the vital role of partnerships in addressing global health challenges such as obesity.
“Tackling obesity requires collective action. Danish companies like Novo Nordisk are contributing significantly to Pakistan’s healthcare landscape. I am confident that this collaboration will leave a lasting positive impact on public health in Pakistan. A unified strategy is essential to counter the growing threat of chronic diseases like obesity,” he said.
Dr Javed Akram, President of the Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine, highlighted the severity of the problem, stating: “Nearly 38m people in Pakistan are currently living with obesity—a condition now recognized as a disease by the World Health Organization. Its impact extends beyond individual well-being, posing significant challenges to public health infrastructure.”
Rashid Rafiq Butt, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Pakistan, presented advancements in obesity treatment, saying: “We have introduced an innovative GLP-1-based therapy, which is already helping millions worldwide in managing weight effectively. However, to address obesity comprehensively in Pakistan, we must adopt a coordinated approach involving government bodies, institutions, communities, and non-governmental organizations.”
