World Obesity Day 2026: Minister warns of severe health challenges posed by rapidly growing obesity cases

ISLAMABAD: State Minister for National Health Services and Regulations Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Malik, on Wednesday, warned of the severe health challenges posed by rapidly growing obesity cases in the country, saying that the economic burden will more than double by 2030 if urgent and sustained interventions are not implemented.

He said this here as the chief guest on World Obesity Day 2026, organized by the Ministry of National Health Services in collaboration with Novo Nordisk, to highlight the urgent need for coordinated national action against obesity in Pakistan.

Obesity is a growing challenge for the public health sector in Pakistan. According to the WHO, the prevalence of obesity among adults in Pakistan is 23 percent as of 2022, a dramatic 16.4 percent rise in the preceding 10 years. The increasing prevalence of obesity has also had a significant economic impact on the country. In 2019, healthcare costs related to obesity totalled USD3.41 billion, equivalent to 1.1 percent of the country’s GDP. The obesity cost is threatening to double to USD7.6 billion (Rs2.13 trillion) by 2030 if urgent measures are not taken.

Addressing participants, the Minister noted that nearly 38 million Pakistanis, which accounts for one in three individuals, are living with obesity, terming the situation alarming. He observed that women and urban populations are disproportionately affected, while childhood obesity is steadily increasing. Dr Malik emphasized that obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers, placing growing pressure on the country’s health system.

Stressing prevention, he underscored the need to improve lifestyles, promote balanced diets, discourage excessive fast food consumption, and increase physical activity. He reiterated that obesity prevention has been integrated into national health planning, including under the Prime Minister’s Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes Mellitus (2024–2029), aimed at addressing the obesity–diabetes continuum through awareness, behaviour change, and early screening.

Secretary Ministry of National Health Services, Hamed Yaqoob, stated that obesity is a complex, chronic disease influenced by biological, environmental, and social factors, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to improving understanding, reducing stigma, and expanding access to person-centred care.

Danish Ambassador to Pakistan, Maja Mortensen, welcomed the constructive dialogue and emphasized that partnerships promoting knowledge-sharing and innovation are essential for sustainable, evidence-based health solutions.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthen prevention strategies, enhance policy measures, and foster multi-sectoral collaboration to combat obesity and safeguard public health in Pakistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026