At the inaugural Women's Power Summit held in Dubai on Wednesday, consultant gynaecologist and reproductive medicine specialist Dr Bohaira El Geyoushi described obesity as the biggest health threat of this century that can actually be acted upon. She told the audience that by 2030, nearly one in five women worldwide is expected to be affected by obesity, compared with roughly one in seven men.
Dr El Geyoushi stressed that obesity should be treated as a chronic disease rather than a lifestyle choice, meaning it requires ongoing, lifelong management instead of short-term fixes. She noted that even a modest five to ten per cent reduction in body weight can meaningfully lower the risk of related health complications.
Left unaddressed, she warned, obesity can pave the way for more serious conditions including insulin resistance, polycystic ovary syndrome, osteoporosis, hypertension, cardiac problems and an increased risk of dementia later in life. She urged women to shift the conversation away from appearance and focus instead on sustaining their everyday wellbeing.
As practical alternatives to demanding gym regimes, Dr El Geyoushi recommended walking, pilates and yoga, describing them as activities that can be woven into daily routines without adding undue pressure or stress.
She closed her remarks with a direct call to action, telling women to take charge of their own health rather than waiting for a better moment, saying simply: it has to be fixed now. The summit brought together health professionals and advocates focused on women's wellbeing in Dubai, forming part of a wider push across the UAE to raise public awareness of women's health issues.