Pakistan, Sept. 21 -- Obesity is associated with as many as 229 diseases and may reduce life expectancy by five to 11 years, leading endocrinologists and medical specialists warned on Sunday, calling for early lifestyle changes and medically supervised treatment of the chronic condition.

More than 1,100 doctors from Sindh and other parts of the country attended the Metabolic Health Forum at Getz Pharma's Astola facility, where experts described obesity as a major driver of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, disability and premature death.

Endocrinologist Dr Abbas Raza said obesity was not merely an issue of appearance or willpower, but a serious medical condition that could affect almost every organ of the body. He cited ...