LAHORE – Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in Pakistan, with 81 per cent of women and 74 per cent of men now classified as obese.
Speaking at an Obesity Awareness Seminar organised by Getz Pharma at the Lahore Press Club, leading clinicians warned that poor diets, sedentary lifestyles, and screen addiction are driving a national health emergency, triggering a surge in diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and joint disorders.
Dr. Ghias Un Nabi Tayyab, Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Lahore’s Doctors Hospital, said obesity remains dangerously misunderstood in Pakistan, where excess weight is still equated with health.
“Over 70% of our population is obese due to sugar-laden and fatty diets, lack of exercise, and cultural ignorance,” he said, adding that a waistline above 35 inches for men and 31 inches for women signals overweight.
Dr. Tayyab warned that diabetes is now common among people in their 20s and urged the public to adopt high-protein, high-fibre diets while avoiding sugar, fats, and refined carbohydrates.
Prof. Dr. M. Imran Hassan Khan, a member of the CPSP Academic Board, explained that a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18 to 23 is considered normal in Pakistan, while 23.1 to 25 indicates overweight and 25 to 30 marks Class 1 obesity.
“Obesity is a disease driven by genetics, bad diet, and inactivity. High insulin levels accelerate fat storage, leading to cardiac problems and hypertension,” he said while urging the media to raise awareness and challenge the false notion that being fat equals being healthy.
“Weight gain shifts the body’s centre of gravity, weakens muscles, strains the spine, and raises the risk of fractures,” said orthopaedic surgeon Prof. Dr. Tariq Sohail, adding that poor diet is making bones and joints increasingly fragile.
Experts emphasised early screening, healthy eating, daily physical activity, and regular check-ups as critical tools to fight obesity. They expressed alarm at the increasing screen time among children, warning that playgrounds are being replaced by screens. The seminar echoed the World Health Organisation’s classification of obesity as a disease and called for nationwide awareness campaigns.
Kashif Amin, Head of Public Health Operations and Research at Getz Pharma, said, “Health promotion and community awareness can bring significant improvement, save resources and improve life expectancy in Pakistan. Our goal is to promote preventive healthcare directly to the communities. Non-communicable diseases like Obesity and Diabetes are not just a health issue- it has a social and economic perspective for a country like Pakistan.”
