Participants in the recent Arabian Gulf University (AGU) Conference tackling the obesity epidemic "Insights for a Healthier Future" recommended adopting a comprehensive approach to obesity treatment. This approach emphasises therapeutic, psychological, nutritional interventions and physical activity to achieve sustainable outcomes. The conference highlighted the importance of prevention and early intervention, especially during childhood and adolescence, to reduce long-term health risks associated with obesity.

Attendees affirmed the need to intensify scientific research and develop innovative technologies to combat obesity effectively. Discussions focused on formulating a national strategy to tackle obesity in GCC countries, exploring pharmacological treatments, surgical options for morbid obesity, and emerging technologies such as gene therapy. Participants also discussed updates on recent scientific advances and practical solutions in obesity treatment.

Professor Amgad El Baz, Conference Chair and Head of the Department of Internal Medicine at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences praised the event’s success, noting strong participation from experts, researchers, and specialists across various sectors. He underscored how the scientific papers and research presentations enriched the discussion, offering new insights into the causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity. The conference concluded with recommendations aimed at informing health policies and strategies to address this pressing health challenge.

In conjunction with the conference, the university organised specialised training workshops led by experts and practitioners. The first workshop, titled "Managing Obesity: From Nutritional Strategy to Practice" was led by Dr Aseel Al Saleh, Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine and Dean of Student Affairs at AGU, along with Dr Areej Alsaad, Nutrition Consultant at King Hamad University Hospital. It focused on dietary patterns and nutritional supplements.

The second workshop, presented by Dr Fatema Habbash, Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine Specialist, addressed modern lifestyle interventions for weight management, emphasising patient empowerment, behavioural changes, and outcome improvement. Topics included dietary habits, physical activity, sleep, motivation, and goal setting. Additionally, a workshop on basic surgical skills, including endoscopy techniques, was conducted by Dr Hamdi Alshenawi Assistant Professor at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, supported by other surgical experts from AGU and Salmaniya Hospital.

Public awareness campaigns on the dangers of obesity also continued, targeting students at schools and universities. Participants from AGU’s Department of Internal Medicine, including Dr Shaima Alnashaba and Dr Mohammed Al-Medfa, engaged in community outreach as part of AGU’s health promotion initiatives at Al-Shorooq Secondary Girls School, Shaikh Isa Bin Ali Secondary Boys School, and University of Bahrain.  These campaigns included interactive lectures on causes, health risks, prevention, and early treatment methods, emphasising healthy lifestyles, proper nutrition, and physical activity. Medical students from the fourth and fifth years conducted health checks including height, weight, BMI, and blood pressure measurement to raise awareness about the importance of regular health monitoring and early intervention.