Salman Al-Khalifa: One in seven people globally suffers from obesity; 940 million adults are affected
Sheikh Salman Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah confirms the integration of medical efforts to combat obesity during the opening of the fourth conference of the Association
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
Deputy Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Salman Khalifa Al-Sabah affirmed that tackling obesity requires the integration of medical and specialized efforts, and that its management should not be limited to surgeries or pharmacological treatments. He emphasized the importance of medical assessment and selecting the most appropriate treatment for each patient, along with long-term follow-up to ensure their safety and sustained improvement.
This statement was made during the opening of the Fourth Kuwait Obesity Conference, organized by the Kuwait Surgical Society in collaboration with a specialized center for diabetes and obesity, with the participation of a select group of doctors and experts from within Kuwait and abroad.
Al-Sabah stated that bariatric surgeries represent an important therapeutic option for suitable cases, alongside modern pharmacological treatments, including GLP-1-based medications, which have added new options to a comprehensive treatment plan that includes follow-up, nutrition, and physical activity, based on an assessment of the patient’s condition.
He noted that World Health Organization estimates indicate that one in seven people worldwide lives with obesity, with the number of affected adults reaching approximately 940 million, equivalent to 16% of the total adult population. He pointed out that bariatric surgeries are undergoing continuous development, particularly with the introduction of robotic technologies that contribute to enhancing the precision of surgical procedures.
For his part, Conference Chairman Dr. Shihab Akroff affirmed that treating obesity is not limited to surgeons but requires the participation of multiple specialties, including nutrition, mental health, and sports medicine, alongside physicians involved in pharmacological treatments. He noted that the conference has consistently sought to broaden medical participation and organize training courses for surgeons, non-surgeons, and other healthcare professionals to develop their skills in managing modern treatments.
Akroff highlighted that obesity represents an increasing economic burden on the state, as its costs extend beyond direct expenditures on medications, surgeries, and medical visits to include indirect costs resulting from absenteeism, reduced productivity, sick leave, and complications from chronic diseases.
He drew attention to the importance of utilizing the Bariatric Cases Data Registry, which contains data on surgeries performed in Kuwait and is implemented in most government hospitals. He explained that bariatric surgeons have benefited from it in conducting research and studies, and expressed his hope to develop similar initiatives to enhance scientific research and provide accurate data.
