"Al Madina": "Saxenda" reduces obesity and is approved by the Food and Drug Authority
Family Medicine Consultant, Vice President of the Saudi Society of Family and Community Medicine, Dr. Ashraf Abdul Qayyum Amir, in his response to the question posed to him by Medina, confirmed the side effects that can happen to children and adolescents who suffer from obesity. As a result of using the new Saxenda treatment? Do these effects cause discontinuation of its use? In his response, he confirmed that the Saxenda medicine has been present in the Kingdom since 2017, after the Saudi Food and Drug Authority approved its use for obese adults over the age of 20 years, and during the past months, the authority has authorized its use. For children and adolescents between the ages of 8 - 16 years, it has been shown to be effective in reducing obesity.
And Dr. Abi Zaid. Amir said that through my work and interaction with adult patients, no serious side effects occurred, except for minor and normal side effects, especially at the beginning of its use by the patient, especially since this type of medicine can only be used under medical supervision.
This came during the virtual press conference organized by the Saudi Society of Family and Community Medicine in cooperation with Novo Nordisk International Medical Center, where the participating doctors discussed a range of important issues related to obesity in children and adolescents of the age group between 8-16 years. The branch of the Saudi Society for Family and Community Medicine in Jeddah, Dr. Sami bin Saleh Eid, said in his speech during the press conference that the association aims, by organizing this conference, to increase the spread of health awareness among all segments of society. Society in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially with regard to the damages and risks of obesity to society in general and to the category of adolescents between the ages of 8-16 years of both sexes, Dr. Eid stressed the importance of the role of the association as a medical and scientific association specialized in the field of family medicine and society in supporting these programs And help it to make it successful and work to achieve its goals in a way that contributes to protecting our society from the dangers of disease and limiting its spread, at the same time drawing attention to the great importance of the media''s role in its various means in spreading health awareness. In societies. This has a positive impact on all age groups of citizens and residents.
The press conference aimed at raising health awareness against the dangers of obesity and introducing society to how to prevent and treat this disease, which was held through the electronic symposium of virtual conferences, witnessed a distinguished presence of elite doctors and consultants specializing in family medicine. Society, Paediatrics and Endocrinology from the Association and the major medical and research centers in the Kingdom.
For his part, Dr. Melvin de Souza, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Saudi Arabia, shed light on international medical research that confirms the extent of the risk that obesity poses to adolescent populations around the world, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is required by the company. And those responsible for it to participate and cooperate with the Saudi Society of Family and Society Medicine and the doctors who spoke to hold this awareness conference to warn of disease and to introduce methods and mechanisms for its treatment, especially since obesity is closely related. In adolescents, it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in both sexes in early adulthood, and Dr. de Souza suggested the need to intensify awareness programs for adolescents and parents regarding balanced nutrition, motor activity and obesity treatment. In its early stages, effective and approved treatments.
As for the Family Medicine Consultant, Vice President of the Saudi Society for Family and Community Medicine in the Kingdom, Dr. Ashraf Amir, a scientific and introductory lecture entitled “The Role of the Family Physician in Combating Obesity,” in which he explained: The importance of the role that the family doctor provides to his community by following up the cases of reviewers for family members, whether they are children. Or young or old and even the elderly during their periodic reviews of primary health care centers and hospitals, where the family doctor is the first line of defense to protect society from the dangers of these diseases and treat the problem before it occurs, thus limiting its spread. And the exacerbation of complications.
The scientific program of the virtual press conference concluded with a lecture presented by a consultant pediatric endocrinologist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh, Dr. Bassam bin Abbas, in which he highlighted the importance of considering the weight of adolescents and children. In societies where childhood obesity increases due to lack of physical and movement activity, in addition to eating fast foods that contain a high percentage of calories and trans fats. Dr. Bin Abbas warned parents against children playing electronic games and neglecting sports activities, which leads to an increase in obesity among adolescents.
It should be noted what scientists and specialized researchers have predicted that the number of obese children in the age group from 5 to 19 years will reach 1,864,250 children by 2030, and the rate of obesity in children from the age of 10 to 19 years. 17.1% during 2017. This percentage is expected to increase in 2023 to reach 23.3%. Globally, 22,555 children aged 5-19 will be obese by 2030.
A study on health and nutrition among Saudi adolescent girls indicated that 77.6% of them between the ages of 16 and 18 suffer from iron deficiency, 18.2% of them are overweight, and 11.5% are obese. The study suggested that they often do not eat breakfast and follow a high-sugar diet as a result of consuming large amounts of junk food and soft drinks.
A study conducted at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) examined the relationships between dietary patterns, household income levels, excessive use of electronic devices, and insufficient exercise.
On the other hand, a new World Health Organization study published in the scientific journal The Lancet confirmed that obesity rates in children and adolescents have increased tenfold worldwide over the past forty years. The study called on governments to take immediate measures to curb the marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks full of calories and sugars intended for children and to prevent their availability in schools.
At the end of the press conference, speakers answered questions from the media.
