AACE MENA 2025-Obesity Management in Adolescent

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this presentation on adolescent obesity management in GCC countries, obesity prevalence is rising alarmingly, with Kuwait and Qatar showing rates comparable to the U.S., nearing 50% among schoolchildren. Adolescent obesity leads to significant physical and mental health risks, including a high likelihood of persistence into adulthood and numerous associated complications like fatty liver disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues. Diagnosis involves BMI percentiles, history, and identifying genetic or pathological causes. Effective treatment requires a multi-faceted approach focusing on lifestyle changes, family support, and long-term behavior modification. Pharmacotherapy options like metformin and GLP-1 agonists are available for adolescents meeting BMI criteria, while bariatric surgery is considered for severe cases but requires careful patient selection and follow-up. Prevention demands a multi-sectoral strategy addressing personal, social, and policy factors. Challenges include stigma, healthcare integration gaps, and resource limitations. Collaborative, individualized care with robust support systems is essential to curb this growing health crisis.

Keywords

adolescent obesity

GCC countries

obesity prevalence

BMI percentiles

pharmacotherapy

bariatric surgery