Obesity crisis deepens in Pakistan as eight in ten women and three in four men are living with obesity

Pakistan is facing a severe obesity epidemic, with 81 per cent of women and 74 per cent of men now classified as living with obesity, health experts revealed at a seminar in Lahore.

Clinicians have warned that unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles and increasing screen time are driving a surge in diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and joint problems.

Dr Ghias Un Nabi Tayyab, Professor of Gastroenterology at Doctors Hospital Lahore, said obesity is widely misunderstood, with excess weight often wrongly seen within Pakistan as a sign of health.

“Over 70 per cent of our population is living with obesity. Waistlines are expanding due to sugar-rich diets, inactivity and cultural ignorance,” he said, noting a waistline above 35 inches for men and 31 inches for women signals overweight.

Prof Dr M. Imran Hassan Khan explained that a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 23 indicates overweight or obesity, which increases risks of heart disease and hypertension.

Orthopaedic surgeon Prof Dr Tariq Sohail highlighted the strain obesity places on muscles, joints, and bones warning it increases fracture risks.

Experts urged early screening, balanced diets, daily exercise and reducing screen time, especially among children. They called on the Pakistani media to challenge the false belief that being overweight means being healthy.

Kashif Amin, Head of Public Health at Getz Pharma, stressed the importance of community awareness and preventive healthcare to tackle this growing crisis.

A free health screening for journalists revealed widespread obesity, hypertension and diabetes, with advice given on diet, exercise, sleep and hydration.

The seminar ended with a call for urgent action to address Pakistan’s escalating obesity problem.