Islamabad:Consuming multiple unhealthy meals a day without engaging in physical activity is the key driver of obesity and the root cause of most chronic illnesses, eminent physicians and medical experts warned on Thursday, saying obesity-linked diseases are killing Pakistanis at least 10 years earlier.
Urging a return to a simpler lifestyle, they advised people to eat less and walk more to stay fit, healthy, and free of chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. “Humans are designed to survive on one meal a day. If we do that, we can remain healthy, fit, and free of diseases,” remarked Prof. Javed Akram while addressing a high-level health dialogue on obesity hosted by Novo Nordisk Pakistan.
Prof. Javed Akram, President of the Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine, said obesity is the mother of all non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as it is a leading risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, cancer, and infertility among women.
“Our people are eating high-carb diets and consuming excessive oil — mostly palm oil — which is extremely unhealthy. But it’s not just food. The lack of physical activity is just as dangerous,” he warned.
He stressed that while genetics do play a role in predisposing South Asians and Pakistanis to obesity and diabetes, lifestyle factors like unhealthy diets and sedentary behavior are far more significant.
“Even in rural Pakistan, the lifestyle is no longer active. People do not walk or engage in laborious activities. Instead, they eat energy-dense foods and stay inactive,” he said. Underscoring the importance of early prevention, Prof. Akram pointed out that the “seeds of obesity are sown during pregnancy,” largely due to the absence of antenatal care and poor maternal nutrition.
Joining the conversation, renowned endocrinologist and President of the Pakistan Society of Obesity, Prof. A.H. Aamir, said the media gives extensive coverage to diseases like polio, but largely ignores the growing menace of obesity.
“Obesity is not just a health condition-it is the origin of all chronic illnesses. It is already rampant among the youth, and with it, diabetes is surging too,” he said. Prof. Aamir warned that due to rising obesity and diabetes, Pakistani people are dying almost 10 years earlier than their counterparts in developed nations, and their quality of life is severely compromised.
“Lifestyle modification is the best and safest way to stay slim and healthy,” he said. “But for people who cannot manage their weight or diabetes, modern drugs like GLP-1 receptor agonists and semaglutide are now available. However, these should only be administered under the supervision of qualified physicians.”
He expressed grave concern over the misuse of these potent therapies by unqualified practitioners. “Quacks are handing out these drugs without understanding which patients can safely use them. This is dangerous and must be regulated,” he said, adding that local research has begun in this area and that updated guidelines for GLP-1 use in South Asian populations have been published.
Speaking on behalf of Novo Nordisk, Rashed Rafique Butt, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Pakistan, highlighted that their company is the global originator of modern biological drugs for weight loss and diabetes, developed using advanced recombinant technology not yet available to the local pharmaceutical industry.
Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, H.E. Jakob Linulf, also addressed the event, acknowledging Pakistan’s rich agricultural output. “Pakistan produces some of the best fruits and vegetables in the world,” he said, “yet it sadly has one of the largest diabetic populations globally.”
He attributed this paradox to lack of public awareness. “People simply don’t know enough about the connection between unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, and diseases like diabetes and obesity,” he said.
Ambassador Linulf acknowledged that obesity is a global issue, including in Denmark, but praised Novo Nordisk for its investment in life-saving therapies and its contribution to human development through innovation. “Partnerships are essential in the fight against obesity. Together, we can foster a healthier society and defeat obesity. I am confident this culture of collaboration will positively impact the people of Pakistan,” he said.
The dialogue, themed “Unordinary Partnerships to Shape a Healthier Tomorrow,” brought together health professionals, policymakers, researchers, and international stakeholders to build momentum toward collective action against obesity — a disease now affecting over 38 million people in Pakistan, according to WHO estimates.
