UAE: Doctors in the UAE are warning that children and teenagers with obesity are increasingly developing health conditions traditionally associated with adults, including insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Medical experts say teenagers are particularly vulnerable as unhealthy eating habits, limited physical activity and prolonged screen time can become established during adolescence.
The warning comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued its first global guidelines on managing obesity among children and adolescents. According to the WHO, around 170 million people aged 5 to 19 were living with obesity worldwide in 2024, with the prevalence increasing from 2 per cent in 1990 to 8 per cent.
Obesity-Related Conditions Appearing Earlier
Dr Mamata Bothra, specialist paediatrics and neonatologist at International Modern Hospital Dubai, said doctors are seeing obesity at younger ages.
She noted that young patients are increasingly presenting with conditions including insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Dr Bart van Wagensveld, consultant general, laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon at Weight Style Clinic, NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, said teenagers aged 10 to 19 are a particular concern.
He said serious complications can include type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, sleep apnoea and psychological distress, while obesity at a younger age can often continue into adulthood.
Treatment Goes Beyond Diet and Exercise
Doctors stressed that childhood obesity cannot simply be addressed by telling children to eat less and exercise more.
The WHO recommends structured support focused on diet, physical activity and behavioural changes. It also advises that weight-loss medicines, surgery and weight-loss devices should not be used for children under 10.
Dr Bothra said treatment should begin with an individual assessment, realistic goals and regular medical follow-ups.
Parents also have an important role because lasting changes can be difficult when the child’s home environment does not support healthier habits.
She said effective treatment may involve paediatricians, dietitians, psychologists and other specialists depending on the child’s needs.
Dr van Wagensveld added that obesity is a chronic disease requiring long-term support from healthcare professionals, while some families may struggle to access comprehensive multidisciplinary programmes.
What Parents Can Do
Doctors said childhood obesity rarely has a single cause. Several factors can contribute, including:
- Sugary drinks and highly processed foods
- Large portion sizes and frequent snacking
- Insufficient sleep
- Excessive screen time
- Low levels of physical activity
In the UAE, hot weather can also make outdoor activities more difficult during parts of the year.
For younger children, doctors recommend focusing on healthy growth rather than rapid weight loss. Parents should consider seeking a paediatric assessment if a child is gaining weight rapidly or developing other concerning symptoms.
For adolescents with severe obesity and related complications, medicines or bariatric surgery may sometimes be considered. However, doctors stressed that these options should only be assessed by specialist teams and require long-term medical, nutritional and psychological follow-up.
Early Action Can Prevent Complications
Dr Bothra urged parents not to wait until serious conditions develop before seeking professional help.
The focus, she said, should be on identifying obesity early and providing children with appropriate medical support, healthier environments and sustainable lifestyle changes.
