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MULTAN, Jul 15 (APP):Nearly 27% of children in Pakistan are suffering from obesity, while over 70% of journalists screened at a free health camp at Multan Press Club were found to be overweight — a concerning trend that experts have termed “the mother of all non-communicable diseases” and a growing health crisis for the nation.
These revelations came during an Obesity Awareness Seminar organized by Gates Pharma at the Multan Press Club. Leading physicians, endocrinologists, and public health experts discussed the alarming rise in obesity across different age groups and its long-term impacts.
Professor Muhammad Arshad, Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist, highlighted that one in every four children in Pakistan is overweight mainly due to excessive screen time, sedentary lifestyles, fast food consumption, and lack of physical activity.
Consultant Endocrinologist Dr Faisal Masood Qureshi warned that childhood obesity is paving the way for diabetes, hypertension, kidney diseases, infertility in women, mood disorders, and even premature deaths in the future.
The experts urged the government to take immediate action, including restoring playgrounds in schools, building footpaths and bicycle tracks in cities, promoting walking and cycling, and ensuring clear calorie labeling on food products so that citizens can make informed choices.
Professor Arshad also shed light on the emotional impact of obesity, linking it to irritability and aggressive behaviour.
Dr Wajiha Javed, Associate Director of Public Health and Research at Gates Pharma, shared key figures from the Pak Health Study, revealing that 80% of women and 70% of men in Pakistan are overweight or obese. Nearly half the population suffers from hypertension and every third Pakistani is diabetic, she noted.
She added that Gates Pharma is committed to patient-centred health campaigns, early screening, and community-level awareness initiatives — with its collaboration with the Press Club being part of a broader mission to build a healthier Pakistan.
During the free health camp set up for journalists and their families, alarming trends emerged: over 70% were found overweight, while 25% showed signs of diabetes and high blood pressure.
President of Multan Press Club Shakeel Anjum, Senior Vice President Khalid Chaudhry, Vice President Sharif Joiya, and Farhan Meghani thanked Gates Pharma for its support and appreciated the experts’ valuable advice.
Concluding the seminar, the experts shared practical tips, including getting six to eight hours of sleep daily, engaging in at least one hour of physical activity every day, consuming water equivalent to 60% of daily food intake, and cutting back on tea, soft drinks, and sugary foods.