Center of Excellence for Obesity Management in Dubai

Your Multidisciplinary Team

Your treatment plan involves:

• Consultant Endocrinologist/Diabetologist: Dr. Suhel Ashraff (SCOPE-certified)
• Consultant General & Bariatric/Metabolic Surgeon: Dr. Biborka Bereczky (EASO & RCS fellowship trained)
• Gastroenterology
• Cardiology
• Clinical Dietitians (including SCOPE-certified expertise)
• Clinical Psychologists
• Physiotherapists / Physical educators
• Diabetes educators and supporting clinical services
• Bariatric coordinator and outcomes tracking support

The Definition of Obesity:

Obesity is a medical condition characterized by an excess accumulation of body fat that can negatively impact overall health and increase the risk of related conditions.

What We Treat

Obesity is typically defined using Body Mass Index (BMI), with a BMI of 30 or above indicating obesity. It is categorized as follows: · Healthy weight: BMI 18.5 kg/m2 to 24.9 kg/m2

• Overweight: BMI 25 kg/m2 to 29.9 kg/m2
• Obesity class I: BMI 30 kg/m2 to 34.9 kg/m2
• Obesity class II: BMI 35 kg/m2 to 39.9 kg/m2
• Obesity class III: BMI 40 kg/m2or more.
• Healthy weight: BMI 18.5–24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25–29.9
• Obesity Class I: BMI 30–34.9
• Obesity Class II: BMI 35–39.9
• Obesity Class III: BMI 40 or above 

However, the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) classifies obesity as an adiposity-based chronic disease (ABCD) that goes beyond BMI, focusing on total fat, distribution, and functional impairment. While using a BMI for general identification, the updated framework emphasizes a holistic approach using waist-to-height ratio, body composition, and health complications to guide personalized, stigma-free care.

Adiposity-Based Chronic Disease (ABCD): Obesity is treated as a chronic disease, moving beyond just BMI to include fat distribution and metabolic function.

• Beyond BMI: While BMI is used (Class 1: 30-34.9, Class 2: 35-39.9, Class 3: 40+) to determine initial obesity, the ABCD model emphasizes that metabolic health is more critical than just the number itself.
• Focus on Complications: It emphasizes treating the underlying pathology and related complications (e.g., hypertension, fatty liver) rather than merely prescribing weight loss.
• Reduces Stigma: It reframes the condition as a chronic illness to be managed, shifting focus away from personal failing.

This approach, often considered alongside Adiposity-Based Metabolic Disease (ABMD), reflects a more modern and comprehensive way of understanding obesity – moving beyond the term “obese” alone.

The ABCD Framework (Stages)

The framework classifies severity based on functional impairment and complications:

• Adiposity-Based: Focuses on abnormal or excessive adipose (body fat) tissue distribution.
• Chronic: Recognizes it as a long-term, ongoing health condition.
• Disease: Emphasizes that it is a medical condition requiring care, and not simply a behavioral issue.

American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) framework generally divides the disease into stages based on complication severity, ranging from pre-clinical (early metabolic changes) to clinical (established metabolic syndrome, diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.).

The NICE guidelines for overweight and obesity management (updated in 2025) focus on a personalized care journey, emphasizing non-judgmental support, behavior changes, and tailored interventions. Key steps include assessing BMI and waist-to-height ratio, offering lifestyle modifications (diet/activity), and considering medication ((e.g., GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide such as Foundayo, Wegovy and Ozempic), and dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists such as tirzepatide (Mounjaro), or surgical options based on tailored risk assessments.)

We support people living with overweight and obesity (BMI ≥ 30), including those with higher-risk profiles and obesity-related complications that may affect:

• Metabolic health (including diabetes risk and management)
• Digestive health
• Cardiovascular health
• Musculoskeletal health and mobility
• Sleep-related disorders (including sleep apnea)
• Mental wellbeing, eating behaviors, and quality of life

Our Treatment Options

1. Medical Weight Management
   A personalized plan may include:
   • Endocrine and metabolic assessment
   • Nutrition therapy and structured lifestyle support
   • Behavioral and psychological support
   • Evidence-based anti-obesity medication where appropriate
   • Ongoing monitoring and follow-up care
     
     
2. Nutrition & Behavioral Support
   We combine dietetic care with practical tools to support sustainable change:
   • Structured meal planning and goal setting
   • Support for eating behaviors and triggers
   • Peer-support sessions (in-person and digital)
3. Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery Pathway
   For eligible individuals, surgical options are considered through our multidisciplinary team (MDT), decision-making, and guideline-based criteria.
   
   Procedures include:
   • Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
   • Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
   • Laparoscopic One-anastomosis or “mini” gastric bypass
   • Laparoscopic Gastric band removal
   • Laparoscopic Revisional bariatric surgery
   • Laparoscopic Anti-reflux surgery

Major laparoscopic procedures are performed in our network of trusted, affiliated hospitals with access to urgent care pathways and  complication management when needed. We also coordinate access to reconstructive/plastic surgery referrals where clinically appropriate.

Advanced Diagnostics & Obesity-appropriate Facilities

We provide access to obesity-specific infrastructure and diagnostics to support safe assessment and treatment planning, including:

• Obesity-appropriate blood pressure cuffs, seating, and examination equipment
• High-capacity scales and adapted stretchers/exam tables
• Body composition assessment (e.g., bio-impedance / Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry -DEXA, where indicated)
• Indirect calorimetry (where indicated)
• Access to imaging and diagnostic services (including CT, MRI, ultrasound, endoscopy)
• Cardiac and pulmonary assessment pathways
• Access to accredited hormonal and molecular genetics laboratories
• Sleep apnea assessment on site or via affiliated facilities

How to Access the Program

Referral Pathways

Individuals can be referred through:

• General Practitioner (GP) / Family Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Self-referral
• Call Center
• Referrals from specialties such as Gastroenterology, Gynecology, Orthopedics, Psychology, and others
• Secondary Care
• Family, Friends, and Community

What Happens After Referral?

1. Initial assessment and understanding your goals, medical history, and risks
2. MDT (multidisciplinary team) care plan tailored to your needs
3. Treatment initiation (medical and/or surgical pathway as indicated)
4. Long-term follow-up to support outcomes, safety, and quality of life

Outcomes, Follow-up & Quality Monitoring

Our program includes structured data capture and auditing to support clinical quality and continuous improvement. We track relevant clinical measures, follow-ups, questionnaires, and quality-of-life indicators as part of our tried, tested, and trusted care model.

Education, Patient Resources & Support

We are developing a robust patient education experience, including:

• Patient leaflets and QR-code education tools
• Website-based education content
• Webinars and peer-support groups
• Direct patient communication pathways via the medical record system, enabling access to the relevant care team

Research & Academic Collaboration

Our team contributes to education and research, including collaboration with Dubai’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Medical University (MBRU) and participation in both regional and international obesity-focused conferences and scientific programs.