Kuala lumpur: Obesity is a disease that needs to be managed rather than cured, according to health experts.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chairperson of the APAC Cardiometabolic Summit and Senior Consultant Endocrinologist, Prof Lim Lee Ling, emphasized that obesity is a chronic disease requiring urgent attention and should not be perceived merely as a lifestyle choice. She pointed out that the environment plays a crucial role in encouraging individuals with obesity to seek proper healthcare.
"To encourage a person living with obesity to seek medical consultation, the environment needs to support them. Everyone should understand that obesity is a disease, not simply a lifestyle condition. It goes beyond weight or body mass index measurements. We are talking about fat distribution, which cannot be assessed without a proper body composition evaluation," she stated ahead of the APAC Cardiometabolic Summit 2025 at the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur.
The event also featured other prominent figures such as Prof Arya Sharma, Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Alberta, and Dr Georgia Rigas, National SCOPE Fellow of the World Obesity Federation (Australia). Organised by Novo Nordisk, the Summit aims to highlight the urgent need for integrated, person-centred approaches across obesity, cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health.
Lim noted that the government has issued a mandate for clinicians, non-clinicians, and the public to actively address overweight and obesity to improve national health outcomes. Initiatives like creating a healthier living environment and implementing food nutrition labelling are being advanced, although their full impact is still under evaluation.
On the transformation within the local healthcare system, Lim stressed the importance of addressing weight-related stigma in both personal and professional settings. "Obesity is a complex, chronic condition that requires empathy, understanding, and evidence-based support. Creating a non-judgmental environment, whether in clinics, workplaces, or at home, is essential for helping individuals seek care confidently," she explained.
Meanwhile, Prof Sharma described obesity as a lifelong condition for most individuals. "Like other chronic diseases, obesity cannot be cured but must be managed. When people develop the disease, they are likely to live with it. Managing obesity is therefore similar to managing chronic illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes," he said.
He added that doctors should be the first point of consultation for anyone living with obesity or concerned about their weight. "That perception is not widespread among the public. The typical advice is to exercise more or eat less, rather than to consult a doctor. In fact, the first step for anyone concerned about their weight should be to see their doctor. We need both, patients recognising obesity as a disease and understanding that they should consult their doctor, and doctors being trained so that when patients present with weight concerns, they know how to manage them," he emphasized.
Dr Georgia highlighted the crucial role of education, advocating for continuous efforts to upskill healthcare professionals and enhance training, particularly through initiatives like the APAC Cardiometabolic Summit 2025.