People with obesity are more likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19 and have higher risks for complications, said an expert while emphasising that obese individuals if in the eligible category to vaccine against the virus. Senior Consultant at National Obesity Treatment Center, Professor Shahrad Taheri, said that people who are overweight should take COVID-19 vaccinations and tests because of their increased risk of health complications. Speaking to The Peninsula on the occasion of World Obesity Day which was marked yesterday, Professor Taheri said, “On March 4, World Obesity Day is observed to encourage practices among people that can help them in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. The day is marked to encourage practices to achieve and maintain healthy weight.” He said that, due to the present pandemic people are more restricted indoors and do less activity and encouraged to follow healthy, sustainable methods to lose weight. Professor Taheri, who is also chair of the Research Committee at HMC’s Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI), said for some individuals, weight loss is essential to avoid or manage chronic diseases and conditions associated with obesity, such as diabetes, pre-diabetes, high b l o o d p r e s s u r e , a n d osteoarthritis. “It is healthy if someone can lose 5-10kg weight during a moderate time period through lifestyle modifications, specifically adjustments to the type and quantity of food consumed and the incorporation of physical activity,” he added. In Qatar Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) National Obesity Treatment Center was established to deliver holistic, multidisciplinary care for patients in need of medical management, lifestyle modifications, bariatric, and endoscopic procedures. As education about obesity is a core part of the Center’s programmes help patients not only better understand their condition but also feel more empowered to take control and stick to the treatment plan. The Center has recorded nearly 10,000 patient visits in a year, making it one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world. “The causes of obesity are complex. There may be many interrelated factors such as genetics, lifestyle, diet, underlying health conditions, and how an individual’s body uses energy. Understanding and making lifestyle changes isn’t always easy but our team has extensive experience in the areas of weight loss and weight management and our programs are tailored to the individual needs of our patients,” said Professor Taheri. The Center has also introduced an adolescent service and Professor Taheri said that 70% of adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for weightrelated adult health problems such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis, underscoring the importance of the adolescent service.
