Doctors Warn That Obesity Is Increasingly Linked to Insulin Resistance, Fatty Liver Disease and High Blood Pressure Among Children and Teenagers.
Doctors across the UAE are raising concerns about the growing number of children and teenagers with obesity who are developing health conditions traditionally associated with adults. Medical professionals are encouraging parents to seek timely medical advice to help prevent potentially serious complications.
Healthcare specialists report seeing younger patients affected by insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, elevated blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Adolescents are considered particularly vulnerable, as unhealthy eating patterns, insufficient physical activity and excessive screen time can become deeply established during their teenage years, increasing the risk of long-term health problems.
The concerns come as the World Health Organisation (WHO) released its first global guidelines addressing obesity care among children and adolescents.
According to the UN health agency, approximately 170 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 were living with obesity worldwide in 2024.
The prevalence of obesity within this age group has increased significantly, rising from 2% in 1990 to 8% in 2024.
Dr Mamata Bothra, Specialist in Paediatrics and Neonatology at International Modern Hospital Dubai, said healthcare professionals are increasingly identifying obesity among children at younger ages.
She explained that doctors are also observing obesity-related complications that were previously more common among adults, including insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, hypertension and unhealthy cholesterol levels.
Her observations highlight the importance of early identification, appropriate medical support and healthier lifestyle habits in addressing childhood obesity before additional health complications develop.
Dr Bart van Wagensveld, Consultant General, Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon at Weight Style Clinic, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, highlighted that adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 face particularly significant health risks associated with obesity.
He explained that serious medical complications, including type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, sleep apnoea and psychological distress, are increasingly being identified among teenagers.
The specialist also warned that obesity developing during early childhood deserves attention, as children affected at younger ages are more likely to continue experiencing obesity into adulthood.
Childhood Obesity Treatment Requires More Than Diet and Exercise Advice
Medical experts emphasise that managing childhood obesity involves much more than simply encouraging children to reduce food intake and increase physical activity.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), structured programmes focusing on nutrition, physical activity and behavioural changes should form the foundation of obesity treatment for children and adolescents.
The organisation also advises against using weight-loss medications, surgical procedures or weight-loss devices in children younger than 10 years.
Dr Mamata Bothra stressed that effective treatment should begin with a personalised medical assessment, followed by achievable health goals and consistent monitoring.
She explained that parental participation is essential because children may struggle to maintain healthier habits when their home environment does not support positive lifestyle changes.
Rather than relying on general instructions to eat less or exercise more, Dr Bothra recommended comprehensive care involving paediatricians, dietitians and, when necessary, psychologists or other medical specialists.
Such an approach allows healthcare professionals to address the individual medical, nutritional and behavioural needs of each child.
Dr van Wagensveld also noted that although many families receive basic guidance about managing obesity, they may not have access to coordinated treatment programmes involving multiple healthcare professionals.
He emphasised that obesity is a chronic medical condition requiring ongoing care and long-term professional support, rather than a problem that can always be resolved through short-term lifestyle adjustments.
What Parents Can Do to Prevent Childhood Obesity
Doctors explained that childhood obesity usually develops through a combination of factors rather than a single cause.
Common contributors include frequent consumption of sugary beverages, highly processed foods, oversized meal portions, excessive snacking, insufficient sleep, prolonged screen time and limited physical activity.
In the UAE, the country’s high temperatures can also make outdoor exercise challenging during certain months, potentially reducing opportunities for children to remain physically active.
Healthcare professionals recommend that parents encourage balanced eating habits, establish consistent sleep routines, limit excessive screen exposure and create opportunities for regular physical activity.
For younger children, the priority should be supporting healthy growth and development rather than pursuing rapid weight loss.
Parents are encouraged to consult a paediatrician if their child experiences unusually rapid weight gain or develops symptoms that may indicate an underlying health concern.
Early medical assessment can help identify potential complications and provide families with appropriate guidance for managing their child’s health.
For teenagers experiencing severe obesity accompanied by serious health complications, medical professionals may consider advanced treatment options, including weight-management medications or bariatric surgery.
However, doctors emphasised that these interventions should only be recommended following a thorough evaluation by a specialised medical team. Such treatments must also involve continuous medical supervision, nutritional guidance and psychological support to ensure long-term health and well-being.
Dr Mamata Bothra urged parents to recognise the importance of early medical intervention rather than waiting for obesity-related complications to develop.
She stressed that childhood obesity should be addressed before conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or other serious health problems emerge, highlighting the need for timely assessment, preventive care and sustained family support.
