Doctors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are sounding the alarm that obese children and adolescents are beginning to face health problems previously considered exclusive to adults. They strongly urge parents to seek help before serious complications arise.
Medical professionals note that they are observing young patients with conditions such as insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Adolescents are of particular concern because unhealthy eating habits, low physical activity, and prolonged screen time can become entrenched during this age group.
This warning comes against the backdrop of the World Health Organization's (WHO) publication of the first global guidelines for treating obesity in children and adolescents. According to this UN body, 170 million people aged 5 to 19 suffered from obesity worldwide in 2024, an increase from 2 percent in 1990 to 8 percent.
Dr. Mamata Bostra, a pediatrician and neonatologist at the International Modern Hospital Dubai, reported that obesity is manifesting at increasingly younger ages in clinical practice. She emphasized: 'We are also seeing obesity accompanied by problems that were once considered predominantly adult conditions, including insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol levels.'
Dr. Bart van Wagensveld, a consultant surgeon specializing in laparoscopic and bariatric surgery at Weight Style Clinic, NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, noted that the adolescent age group of 10 to 19 years causes the most concern. He added: 'It is during this period that we begin to observe serious complications such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, and psychological disorders.' He also expressed concern over early obesity in younger children, as it often progresses to an adult-like state.
The doctors stressed that treatment must go beyond general advice about reducing food intake and increasing physical activity. The WHO recommends structured support in diet, physical activity, and behavioral change as the primary method of therapy. The organization indicates that weight-loss medications, surgical interventions, and weight-loss devices should not be used on children under 10 years old.
Dr. Bostra highlighted the necessity of individual assessment of the child, setting realistic goals, and regular follow-up monitoring. Furthermore, parents must be involved, as children cannot achieve sustainable changes if the home environment remains unchanged. She stated: 'Simply telling a child 'eat less and move more' is not an obesity treatment program. Children need an individual assessment, realistic goals, and regular monitoring, ideally with the involvement of pediatricians, dietitians, and, if necessary, psychologists or other specialists.'
Dr. van Wagensveld noted that many families receive recommendations but may lack access to comprehensive programs involving various healthcare professionals. He concluded that 'Obesity is a chronic disease, and effective treatment requires long-term support from healthcare professionals.'
The medical staff clarified that there is rarely one cause for childhood obesity. Factors can include sugary drinks, highly processed foods, large portions, frequent snacking, lack of sleep, screen time, and low activity. In the UAE, hot weather can also hinder outdoor activities for part of the year.
For younger children, healthy development should be the priority, not rapid weight loss. Doctors advise parents to consult a pediatrician for an evaluation if a child is gaining weight rapidly or showing other symptoms. In cases of severe obesity and complications in adolescents, medication or bariatric surgery may sometimes be considered. However, the doctors emphasized that such decisions must only be made by specialized teams and must necessarily include long-term medical, dietary, and psychological support.
'The main message for parents is to seek help early,' Dr. Bostra summarized. 'One should not wait until a child develops diabetes, hypertension, or other complications before addressing the issue of obesity.'