Understand the condition. Start the conversation.
Obesity involves excess body fat that can affect health. Its causes are complex, and ongoing support may be needed. [1]
What can influence weight
Genes and family history can affect weight. Daily eating and activity patterns, sleep, medicines and some health conditions may also contribute. Food access, work routines and the surrounding environment can influence the choices available to us. [13]
How a doctor assesses weight
BMI relates weight to height. It is one part of assessment, alongside factors such as waist measurement, medical history and other health indicators. A calculator cannot show the full picture. [1][12]
Understanding weight means looking at the whole picture.
Obesity is a chronic condition influenced by genetics, appetite regulation, eating patterns, physical activity and the environment. A healthcare professional can assess weight alongside medical history and other health indicators to identify suitable support.
Source: WHO, Obesity and overweight.
Symptoms are a reason to ask
- Persistent snoring or daytime sleepinessWorth raising with a healthcare professional.
- Reduced mobility or joint discomfortSeveral causes are possible; a doctor can help sort them out.
- Thirst, frequent urination, blurred visionSeek an assessment rather than relying on a website score.
Symptoms may have several causes and do not confirm a weight-related diagnosis.
Look beyond the number on the scale.
Overweight and obesity can increase the risk of several conditions. A higher weight does not mean you have them. Discuss your individual risks with a healthcare professional.
Type 2 diabetes
Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk.
Heart and circulation
Higher weight may increase the likelihood of high blood pressure and heart disease.
Sleep
Obesity is a common contributor to obstructive sleep apnoea.
Liver
Excess weight is associated with fatty liver disease.
Joints
Obesity can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
These are associations, not diagnoses. Source: NIDDK, Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity.
Obesity and diabetes in Pakistan: what the research shows.
Pakistan has run national surveys on diabetes and weight. Their numbers differ, mostly because studies define and measure things differently. Read the figures as a picture of the problem, not a verdict on any one person.
Adults aged 20 and over with diabetes. Two national surveys run in the same period gave different answers because they used different blood tests. [6][7]
Excess weight is common
An analysis of the Pakistan Panel Household Survey 2010 found about 21% of adults overweight and 9% with obesity, and identified low physical activity as a significant factor. [8]
The Global Nutrition Report profile lists adult obesity at 13.4% for women and 7.5% for men. [9]
It varies by region
A sub-study of NDSP-II reported the highest generalised obesity in Punjab (60%) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (59.2%). Studies use different cut-offs, so figures are not directly comparable. [10]
The scale is not the whole story
In DPS-PAK, diabetes or prediabetes also appeared in people with a normal BMI. Among them, diabetes was far more common with a family history (29.3%) than without (9.4%). [7]
Research summary. Pending CCL medical review before publication. Full sources are listed under References.
New research (2025 to 2026).
Recent studies on weight and metabolic health in Pakistan. Studies measure different groups in different ways, so figures are not directly comparable.
Students in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Frontiers in Public Health, September 2026
Among university students surveyed between October 2025 and March 2026, 15.3% were overweight and 12.9% had obesity. [15]
Nationwide university students
Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 2026
Obesity was linked with family history, age, gender and lifestyle practices. Students aged 26 to 30 had markedly higher risk than younger students. [19]
The self-awareness gap
ACTION-APAC Pakistan analysis, 2026
Every participant had a self-reported BMI of 25 or above, but only 33% described themselves as having obesity. [16]
Metabolic syndrome
Systematic review, September 2026
Pooled prevalence was 42.9% among Pakistani adults aged 16 and over, higher in women. Central obesity was the most common component. Results varied widely between studies. [17]
Modelled national estimate
WHO data via Our World in Data, 2026
Estimates suggest around 59% of adults had a BMI of 25 or above and about 24% a BMI of 30 or above in 2024. These are modelled figures, not survey counts. [18]
Research summary. Pending CCL medical review before publication.
Where weight meets health
Weight is associated with risk in several body systems. These are associations, not diagnoses.
Questions worth bringing to your appointment
Changes
Have I noticed an unexpected change in weight? Does my weight affect daily activities?
Causes
Could a condition or medicine be contributing?
Checks and support
Which health checks are appropriate? What support can I access and how will we review progress?
Your next step
Bring a list of current medicines and your main questions to a consultation. Do not stop or change a medicine because you think it affects your weight without speaking to your prescriber.
When to speak with a professional.
Speak with a qualified healthcare professional if
- You are worried about your weight or your health, or you want help understanding a result.
- You have thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss or persistent tiredness. These need an assessment whatever a website score says. [14]
- Diabetes runs in your family, or you have a health condition or take regular medicines. Do not stop or change a medicine without speaking to your prescriber.
Seek urgent medical care for
- Chest pain, severe breathlessness or fainting.
- Any severe or sudden symptom that worries you.
- This website and its forms are not emergency services. Go to the nearest hospital or contact local emergency services.
- WHO, Obesity and overweight
- NIDDK, Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity
- NIDDK, Treatment for Overweight and Obesity
- NIDDK, Eating and Physical Activity
- WHO, Physical activity
- Basit A et al., Second National Diabetes Survey of Pakistan (NDSP), 2016-2017. BMJ Open 2018
- Type 2 diabetes prevalence in Pakistan: subgroup analysis of normal-weight individuals, DPS-PAK
- PIDE, Prevalence and determinants of overweight and obesity among adults in Pakistan
- Global Nutrition Report, Pakistan country profile
- NDSP 06: Prevalence and risk factors for obesity in urban and rural Pakistan
- Indian Diabetes Risk Score (Madras Diabetes Research Foundation): validation study
- CDC, Adult BMI Categories
- NIDDK, Factors Affecting Weight and Health
- NIDDK, Symptoms and Causes of Diabetes
- Frontiers in Public Health 2026: overweight and obesity among university students in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
- Perceptions, attitudes and barriers to obesity management in Pakistan: ACTION-APAC country analysis, 2026
- Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults in Pakistan: systematic review and meta-analysis, 2026
- Our World in Data: obesity rates in Pakistan (WHO Global Health Observatory data)
- Annals of Medicine and Surgery 2026: Pakistani university students, prevalence and KAP
- WHO, Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation, Geneva, 2008 (published 2011)
- Mifflin MD et al., A new predictive equation for resting energy expenditure in healthy individuals. Am J Clin Nutr 1990;51:241-247
- WHO expert consultation, Appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations and its implications for policy and intervention strategies. Lancet 2004;363:157-163
- WHO Western Pacific Region, IASO and IOTF, The Asia-Pacific perspective: redefining obesity and its treatment, 2000