Multidisciplinary screening and diagnosis of obesity related diseases: an Arabic Association for the Study of Diabetes and metabolism position statement (AASD)

Abstract Obesity prevalence is growing worldwide, with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South Asia, South East Asia, and Southern Sub-Saharan Africa regions showing the highest increase in obesity/overweight prevalence from 1990 to 2021. Most of these countries are either low- or middle-income countries with the exception of the high-income Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Obesity significantly impacts human health and contributes to the development and progression of various diseases. Body mass index (BMI) is the most widely used method for obesity/overweight screening because of its simplicity, low cost, reproducibility, and the good correlation with other obesity measures such as skinfold thickness and DEXA. Therefore, BMI remains the most practical method for weight assessment and tracking intervention outcomes. This paper provides an overview of the diagnosis and screening of obesity-associated comorbidities from the perspective of the Arabic Association for the Study of Diabetes and Metabolism (AASD). The knowledge gained from this research can help healthcare practitioners and policymakers better diagnose and screen for diseases related to obesity leading to more comprehensive management for these patients and offering opportunities for improving overall health outcomes.