More than 6,500 people in Abu Dhabi have lost weight through a government-backed weight-management programme, with some participants shedding up to 22 percent of their total body weight using new medicines.

According to the programme’s results, people with obesity who enrolled in the personalised weight-management initiative lost an average of 14 percent of their body weight during the first year.

The initiative was implemented with the support of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre. Depending on their medical condition, patients could use injectable weight-loss medicines or oral tablets. Oral medicines were introduced to the programme in May.

The initiative aims to improve participants’ health and reduce the risk of chronic conditions associated with obesity, including diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Weight loss without surgery

In one case, a man reduced his weight from 170kg to 130kg within several months, allowing him to avoid surgery.

In another case, a woman lost 9kg and moved from the obesity range into a healthy weight range after previously struggling to manage her weight.

Each patient received an individually tailored treatment plan that included medical interventions, nutritional and behavioural support, and continuous monitoring by doctors.

Dr Dura Al Balooshi, Acting Executive Director of the Community Health Sector at the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said an individual approach was adopted for every patient to maximise the effectiveness of treatment.

“In its first year, the programme helped thousands of participants achieve sustainable health outcomes and reinforced the importance of treating obesity as a chronic and complex disease,” she said.

She added that expanding treatment options and the programme itself would give more people access to personalised care, helping to improve quality of life and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

The role of new medicines in obesity treatment

Medicines such as Wegovy and Mounjaro reduce appetite and food cravings, providing doctors and patients with new treatment options for managing obesity.

According to the report, Eli Lilly’s oral Foundayo tablet and an oral version of Wegovy made by Novo Nordisk are also options for patients who prefer not to use injectable medicines.

Some patients consider oral tablets more convenient because they do not require refrigerated storage.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity, an average body weight reduction of 13 percent among people with obesity was associated with a 41 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

This level of weight loss was also associated with a 22 percent reduction in high blood pressure, a 19 percent reduction in abnormal blood lipid levels and a 40 percent reduction in sleep apnoea.

Services available at more than 54 healthcare centres

The medicines used in the programme are currently available at more than 54 healthcare centres, with plans under way to add another 15 facilities and expand coverage across Abu Dhabi.

The programme is available to Thiqah cardholders aged 18 and above who are overweight or have obesity.

Participants receive a comprehensive, personalised plan that includes early screening, behavioural support, medical intervention when required and long-term follow-up to maintain treatment outcomes.

New experimental drug delivers up to 28 percent weight loss

Meanwhile, research is continuing into a new generation of weight-loss medicines that may be more effective in treating obesity.

Retatrutide is an experimental weight-loss medicine being developed by US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly that has shown promising results in clinical trials.

Administered as a weekly injection, the medicine targets three hormonal pathways linked to appetite regulation, blood sugar and the way the body uses energy.

Because of this triple mechanism, retatrutide is also known as “Triple G”, a feature that could make it more effective than some existing weight-loss medicines.

In one large clinical trial, patients who received the highest dose of retatrutide lost between 24 and 28 percent of their body weight over 80 weeks.

The medicine has not yet been approved for public use. Eli Lilly plans to apply for approval from the US Food and Drug Administration in the first quarter of 2027.

If approved, retatrutide could become available in late 2027 or early 2028.