Skyrocketing regional obesity rates could be cut through wider awareness of the condition, say experts

Launched in March of this year, the "iDecide" anti-obesity campaign now has support from the medical and patient communities in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and the majority of the Gulf states, largely because of its "weight loss starts from within" messaging.

In total, over 10,000 presentation packs have been distributed in a three month period, to help patients initiate the weight loss process.

A major theme of the campaign is the important role that doctors can play in helping patients to develop a full program for weight loss, once they have made the decision to lose weight.

Medical intervention can be one of the most effective forms of support for obese people, yet many patients are reluctant to visit their doctor, because of embarrassment or concern that their condition will not be treated seriously. However, according to a number of specialists in the field, patients must first be encouraged through public awareness programs to see their physicians.

"Doctors can play an important role in helping patients to tackle obesity, and, by encouraging patients to visit their physician, the iDecide campaign is providing people with an essential resource to manage their obesity," said Amer Haddadin of Abbott Laboratories, one of the healthcare groups that is supporting the campaign.

"Abbott Laboratories is proud to support the iDecide weight loss campaign in the Middle East, because it promotes a medically sound alternative to obesity and encourages those who suffer from obesity to take control of their conditions and improve the quality of their lives."

iDECIDE will offer a range of tools to help patients become mentally prepared to ask for help, and to pursue a course of action which will help them to manage their weight effectively.

Working from the slogan, "Weight Loss Starts from Within", the campaign will involve a series of activities with patient groups and other healthcare organizations.

As part of the iDecide campaign in the region, the chairman of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), Prof. Philip James, visited a range of hospitals and healthcare groups to share insights into new techniques for managing obesity. The IOTF is a global body which aims to alert the world of the growing health crisis threatened by soaring levels of obesity.

During his tour, Prof. James met with doctors from Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.