Obesity Treatment in Dubai: How Obesity Is Defined, Treated and When to Start
Dr. Hecham Harb
Consultant Endocrinologist & Medical Director
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Obesity treatment in Dubai can combine nutrition and lifestyle support with medication where it is clinically appropriate, and with surgery for some patients. The World Health Organization describes obesity as a chronic disease, defined in adults as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above. At Endocare, treatment starts with a full assessment by one of our endocrinologists at our Dubai clinic. Together, you will discuss whether lifestyle changes, medication or referral for surgery best suit your needs.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) describes obesity as a chronic disease affecting 1.1 billion people worldwide.
- The UAE National Health Survey 2017 to 2018 found obesity in 27.8% of adults aged 18 to 69, and overweight or obesity in 67.9%.
- The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describe a BMI of 40 or above as class 3, or severe, obesity.
- The NHS advises keeping your waist size to less than half your height, as a check on fat stored around the abdomen.
- The WHO supports glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications as one component of multimodal chronic obesity care.
- A 5 kg weight loss goal does not automatically mean medication is needed.
- The WHO links obesity to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver and kidney disease and several cancers.
01 What is obesity?
The World Health Organization fact sheet on obesity describes obesity as a chronic disease affecting 1.1 billion people worldwide. The WHO defines obesity in adults as a BMI of 30 or above, and overweight as a BMI of 25 or above. It reports that 940 million adults were living with obesity in 2024, around 16% of adults worldwide.
The UAE National Health Survey 2017 to 2018, published by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, found obesity in 27.8% of adults aged 18 to 69. The same survey found obesity in 30.6% of women, and overweight or obesity in 67.9% of adults.
The WHO links the global rise of obesity to an increasing burden of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver and kidney disease and several cancers. It also describes overweight and obesity, with the diseases related to them, as largely preventable and manageable.
02 How obesity is measured: BMI, waist and body composition
BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in metres. The CDC adult BMI categories group adult results into the bands below.
| BMI category (adults) | BMI |
|---|---|
| Underweight | Below 18.5 |
| Healthy weight | 18.5 to under 25 |
| Overweight | 25 to under 30 |
| Obesity, class 1 | 30 to under 35 |
| Obesity, class 2 | 35 to under 40 |
| Obesity, class 3 (severe) | 40 or above |
The CDC describes BMI as a screening measure that should be considered with other factors when assessing an individual’s health. South Asian and Arab ancestry both carry metabolic risk at a lower body weight than European ancestry does, which is why your endocrinologist reads your weight alongside your body composition analysis. For many patients in the UAE, lower ethnicity-specific waist or BMI thresholds may therefore be more appropriate.
The NHS guidance on diagnosing obesity advises keeping your waist size to less than half your height. A larger waist can indicate fat stored around the abdomen, which BMI does not show.
BMI also does not show how much of your weight is fat, muscle or water. At Endocare, body composition analysis is included free of charge at every consultation. Body composition analysis estimates body fat, muscle mass and body water. Repeated measurements help your endocrinologist understand how your body is changing beyond the number on the scale.
A body composition analysis can estimate visceral fat and provide a visceral fat rating that can be tracked over time. Our article on fat loss and weight loss explains the difference between the two.
03 What contributes to obesity?
The WHO describes obesity as driven by complex interactions between environmental, social, biological and behavioural factors, with genetic variation influencing individual susceptibility. No single factor explains it for every person.
Thyroid disease can affect metabolic rate and make weight management more difficult, but it is treatable once diagnosed. Insulin resistance often accompanies metabolic conditions that can affect weight management. It is also associated with increased waist circumference. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects around one in ten women of reproductive age and can influence weight and metabolism. Certain prescription medications can also contribute to weight gain.
Our pages on metabolic syndrome and hormonal imbalance cover two related areas in more detail. Your endocrinologist will look for these factors at your assessment, because some of them are treatable.
04 How obesity is treated
The WHO calls for person-centred, multimodal chronic care for people living with obesity. That care includes behavioural interventions, nutritional counselling, psychological support and medication, with metabolic and bariatric surgery where appropriate. Each route suits different patients, and a treatment plan can combine more than one.
Nutrition, activity and lifestyle coaching
The NHS describes reducing daily calorie intake by around 600 calories as a safe and sustainable approach to weight loss. The US Physical Activity Guidelines set the target at 150 to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, plus muscle-strengthening work on at least two days. Most adults are advised to aim for around seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
Endocare’s lifestyle coaches and our clinical nutritionist will build these into a plan that fits your routine. Adequate protein and resistance training can help preserve muscle while you lose weight.
Weight loss medication
In December 2025, the WHO published a guideline on GLP-1 medications for obesity in adults. It supports their safe, equitable and appropriate inclusion as one component of multimodal chronic obesity care.
In the UAE, the options include Mounjaro (tirzepatide), the Wegovy injection (semaglutide), the Wegovy pill and Foundayo (orforglipron). Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy is the semaglutide medication approved for weight management. At Endocare, Ozempic is considered for weight management only in patients with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Ozempic is not approved for weight management or for prediabetes, so using it for weight management outside the treatment of type 2 diabetes, including in prediabetes, is off-label.
Patients should not decide by themselves to start a GLP-1 medication. A doctor’s review is critical to ensure the treatment is safe and appropriate for the individual. Our medical weight loss programme combines medication, when it is clinically appropriate, with coaching and monthly follow-ups.
Bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery, also called metabolic surgery, is a further option for some people living with obesity, particularly those with severe obesity. A bariatric surgeon assesses whether surgery is appropriate. If you are considering surgery, your endocrinologist can discuss what it involves alongside the other options.
05 When should you start medical treatment for obesity?
Weight loss medication is generally considered for patients with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above when weight-related health conditions are present. Eligibility also depends on the approved use of each medication. The US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) describes the same BMI thresholds for adults in its guidance on weight management medications. Your endocrinologist will assess whether medication is appropriate based on your individual health and weight profile. Weight-related conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
For many patients with a smaller weight loss goal, the focus is on a personalised nutrition and activity plan with regular follow-up. Our article on who qualifies for weight loss injections explains the criteria for medication.
If you are unsure whether to start treatment, a medical assessment is a reasonable first step. Our guide to finding a weight loss doctor in Dubai explains which doctors treat obesity.
06 Why weight can be difficult to keep off
As weight falls, the body uses less energy, so the same intake no longer creates the same calorie deficit. Some weight regain is also possible when treatment stops.
The British Heart Foundation reports an analysis of SURMOUNT-4, a clinical trial in which some participants were switched from tirzepatide to a placebo for a year. In that analysis, 82% of the participants who stopped tirzepatide regained at least a quarter of the weight they had lost. Those participants stopped at once, with no gradual reduction in dose.
Long-term support, through coaching and regular follow-ups, can help you maintain the changes you have made. Our article on maintaining weight loss explains the options after a GLP-1 medication.
07 How Endocare treats obesity in Dubai
Your first appointment is a full medical assessment, not simply a prescription visit. Your endocrinologist will review your medical history and any relevant blood tests, assess your weight and metabolic health, and discuss whether a GLP-1 medication or another weight loss treatment is the right option for you.
Where possible, your first appointment takes place in person at Endocare’s Dubai clinic, as the physical examination and body composition analysis cannot be completed remotely. Your endocrinologist will review blood tests from the last three months before prescribing. If your results are out of date, the clinic can arrange the required tests.
Monthly follow-up appointments can be held in person at the clinic or online. At Endocare, our endocrinologists typically observe weight loss of three to four kilos a month in patients on a medically supervised programme. Patients on our programme can achieve up to 50% more weight loss than the medication alone.
Insurance coverage for weight loss treatment in the UAE varies by policy and is often limited, so we recommend checking your individual coverage before starting treatment. Our care coordinators can also help you in this process. Our medical weight loss clinic in Dubai page describes the clinic and the team.
08 FAQ
Is obesity a disease?
Yes. The World Health Organization describes obesity as a chronic disease. Like other chronic diseases, it can be treated, and treatment is planned for the long term.
What BMI is considered obese?
In adults, a BMI of 30 or above is classed as obesity. The CDC divides it into class 1 (30 to under 35), class 2 (35 to under 40) and class 3 (40 or above). For many people of South Asian or Arab ancestry, metabolic risk can rise at a lower BMI.
What is morbid obesity?
Morbid obesity is an older term for class 3, or severe, obesity, which is a BMI of 40 or above in adults. The CDC uses the term severe obesity for this class.
Can obesity be treated without medication?
Yes, for some people. Nutrition, activity and lifestyle coaching are part of every treatment plan at Endocare, and your endocrinologist will consider medication only when it is clinically appropriate.
Does Endocare perform bariatric surgery?
No. Endocare is an endocrinology and metabolic health centre, and our treatment does not include surgery. If surgery may be appropriate for you, your endocrinologist can discuss it with you.
Do I need a referral for obesity treatment in Dubai?
No. In the UAE, you can see an endocrinologist directly, with no GP referral needed, for concerns related to hormones, weight, metabolism or blood sugar. If you plan to use health insurance, we recommend checking your policy before you book, because some insurers require a referral or pre-approval.
At our Dubai clinic, your endocrinologist will assess you, review your blood tests and body composition, and discuss the treatment options with you. You can book a weight loss consultation with one of our endocrinologists on +971 4 285 3885 or send us a message on WhatsApp.
Book Your Consultation
- Specialist consultation
- Personalized Coaching
- Body Composition Analysis