Tuesday 12 / May / 2026
Istanbul: Obesity has become one of the fastest-growing global health challenges, affecting millions of people worldwide and increasing the risk of serious medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and joint problems. Health experts say changing lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity have contributed significantly to rising obesity rates, prompting growing demand for effective weight-management treatments and therapies.
The launch of a new oral weight-loss pill in the United States is offering patients an alternative to injectable obesity treatments, following months of clinical trials and patient feedback that highlighted growing demand for easier treatment options.
“Diet, exercise and medication are vital for weight loss and, in some cases, people have lost almost 20 kilograms within a few months,” said Venkat Kalyan, General Manager of Novo Nordisk for the Gulf, while speaking about the company’s new obesity treatment during an event in Istanbul on Tuesday.
“Obesity is a major problem everywhere. There are more than one billion obese people around the world. Even in Oman, between 30 and 40 percent of the population is obese. Today, even children are suffering from this problem due to lack of activity and unhealthy eating habits,” Venkat said.
“They do not go outside, perhaps because of the hot weather, and are more interested in playing video games,” he added, noting that the company’s treatment is suitable for people of different age groups.
The General Manager said women are also more likely to gain weight after pregnancy or menopause.
“The medicine helps send signals to the brain that the body has had enough food and does not need to eat more, helping obese people reduce weight. Even overweight individuals can take the medicine if they have comorbid conditions such as hypertension or high cholesterol,” he explained.
Kalyan said injectable therapies for weight management had already been introduced earlier and had shown promising results among patients. However, feedback from users revealed that while many patients benefited from injections, some were uncomfortable with injectable medication and preferred an oral alternative.
This encouraged researchers and pharmaceutical companies to develop a pill-based therapy. After extensive clinical trials and testing, the oral medication was launched in the United States and has now also been introduced in GCC countries, including Oman.
Doctors involved in monitoring patients said the treatment has shown encouraging outcomes, with many users experiencing significant weight loss within a relatively short period. According to specialists, most patients begin noticing visible changes within the first two to three months of treatment.
Clinical observations indicate that patients can lose nearly 20 percent of their body weight over six months to one year. In practical terms, a person weighing 100 kilograms could potentially lose around 20 to 21 kilograms during the treatment period.
Healthcare professionals described the results as substantial, noting that such levels of weight reduction are often difficult to achieve through exercise alone. They explained that while physical activity such as walking and regular exercise remains important for overall health and wellbeing, successful weight management largely depends on proper diet and medication support.
Experts stressed that treatment plans differ from one patient to another and should always be followed under medical supervision. Patients are generally advised to begin with the lowest dose of Wegovy before gradually increasing it according to doctors’ guidance. This gradual approach helps the body adapt to the medicine and reduces the likelihood of side effects.
Doctors noted that the most common side effects associated with the treatment are mild gastric symptoms, which are common with many medications. However, they emphasized that these effects are usually temporary and tend to disappear after a few days of treatment.
Medical professionals also highlighted that the medicine works by helping patients adopt healthier eating habits and better lifestyle choices alongside the treatment itself.
They added that the introduction of oral therapy could encourage more patients to seek treatment for obesity and weight-related conditions, especially those hesitant about injections.
