
UAE launches clinical guideline for weight management, obesity
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched the National Clinical Guideline for Weight Management and Prevention of Adulthood Obesity, a comprehensive strategic framework designed to promote public health, and reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases, as well as contributing to building a healthier society.
The new guideline will not only play a key role in forging a healthier future for the UAE but will also help shape a healthcare system that responds to community needs and supports the Ministry's long-term goal of building a culture where prevention and well-being come first.
The Ministry stressed that tackling obesity is among its top priorities, due to its correlation with serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
Developed by a multidisciplinary team of local experts in public health, nutrition, endocrinology, and surgery, and reviewed by an international consultant, the guide incorporates the latest global research and best practices. It offers healthcare professionals practical, evidence-based, comprehensive reference to help individuals manage their weight safely and effectively.
In addition to offering clinical guidance, the guideline provides a foundation for building a broad-based community health culture by promoting healthier daily habits, including balanced meals and physical activity as simple but impactful steps to prevent obesity and the health issues that often come with it.
Structured around four integrated pillars, the guide introduces a holistic approach to obesity management. The first focuses on proper nutrition, offering a detailed roadmap for healthy eating based on global research and adapted to local dietary habits. The second pillar stresses the need for physical activity, with clear recommendations on exercise types that support fitness and healthy weight maintenance.
The third pillar addresses behavioural change, introducing strategies to help individuals overcome unhealthy habits and adopt sustainable lifestyles. It also considers the psychological factors tied to obesity. The fourth pillar outlines criteria for identifying cases that may require medical or surgical intervention, based on specific clinical standards.
Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, stressed that the launch of the obesity prevention guideline is a strategic step that would not only enhance public health but also improve the quality of life across the UAE.
He highlighted that such a long-term goal requires stronger collaboration among individuals, policymakers, legislators, government and private sector institutions, the media, and food industry stakeholders.
Addressing obesity, he noted, demands a comprehensive and integrated approach that combines public awareness, medical guidance, and targeted interventions.
Dr. Al Rand added that obesity is a pressing public health challenge that affects all segments of society. Therefore, the ministry is keen to develop evidence-based strategies, launch national awareness campaigns, and conduct specialised training programmes to build the capacity of healthcare providers.
'We are committed to equipping professionals with the latest globally recognised knowledge and tools to support individuals in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight sustainably.'
He added that the Ministry of Health and Prevention will continue to strengthen its collaboration with partners across the health sector to achieve the goals of the 'Year of Community' and improve individual and family wellbeing.
'We will spare no effort to provide a supportive health environment inspires people to adopt sustainable lifestyle choices. From training medical professionals to use the guide effectively to launching awareness campaigns that offer real, practical solutions for reducing obesity, every step we take is aligned with the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 and We the UAE 2031 vision.'
Dr. Al Rand also noted that the upcoming National Health and Nutrition Survey will feature adult obesity metrics, with results expected to serve as a key reference for shaping future health policies and programmes.
Dr. Buthaina Bin Belaila, Head of the Non-Communicable Disease and Mental Health Department at the Ministry, emphasised that obesity is a chronic condition that significantly contributes to the development of various non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and certain types of cancer.
She noted that addressing obesity requires a holistic lifestyle approach, incorporating sustainable behavioural and dietary changes.
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Zawya
6 hours ago
- Zawya
Sam Altman, Brad Smith and 2,400+ attendees join G42's ‘Supercharged' AI summit
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Joining remotely, Microsoft's Chief Responsible AI Officer Natasha Crampton shared how close collaboration with G42 is helping scale responsible AI practices globally. The session also spotlighted the upcoming initiatives by the Responsible AI Future Foundation and the AI for Good Lab, including Bee:Wild and climate-focused AI tools, culminating in a global convening on November 5 in Abu Dhabi. AI for Good G42 airs teaser of Bee:wild documentary supported by Angelina Julie, Ellie Golding, and Leonardo Di Caprio In a powerful session on responsible AI, G42's Faheem Ahamed unveiled the story behind Bee:wild, a unique and first-of-its-kind initiative that applies frontier technologies to an urgent ecological crisis: the collapse of global pollinator populations. From deploying geospatial intelligence via Space42 to decoding pollinator biology through M42's multi-omics platforms, Bee:Wild exemplified how AI can serve both planet and people. 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On the audio front, Supercharged featured the UAE's largest-ever installation of the d&b Soundscape system, delivering hyper-precise 3D audio far beyond the capabilities of Dolby Atmos. This allowed sound to move fluidly across the venue, syncing perfectly with the visuals for a fully immersive environment. The entire production, executed by a 535-person, setting a new standard for what corporate events can be. Employee Engagement 2,400+ Employees and Partners wanted to hear from Peng The event concluded with Peng Xiao taking a selfie with over 2,400 UAE-based employees and global partners, capturing the energy of a crowd three times the size of previous Supercharged events. Until midnight, guests then enjoyed a curated Global Food Grid dinner, followed by live performances from David Chesky, and DJ Raphy J, transforming the venue into G42's biggest celebration yet. In the spirit of fostering local talent and sparking interest in the field of AI, five university students joined the attendees through a competitive application process designed to identify emerging talent from across the UAE. -Ends- For more information and a full event overview of all sessions, key participants, and speakers, as well as themes, please find more information below. About Supercharged 2025 On June 26, 2025, G42 hosted its latest edition of its AI Summit, Supercharged, at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, UAE. It was a day when intelligence met intent. With over 2,400 participants, it brought together the full spectrum of G42's ecosystem: employees, global partners, public sector leaders, technologists, and the thinkers reshaping what AI means in the real world. This wasn't a typical tech event. It was where conversations went deeper and more personal. Where principles met pressure-testing. And where participants challenged one another to move from potential to practice – safely, responsibly, and in service of the public good. This year's theme, 'Building the Intelligence Grid: The Present and Future of AI-Enabled Civilizations,' reflected a fundamental shift in the role of AI. At the centre of that shift was the Intelligence Grid – a distributed network of data centres, compute capabilities, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity services, and AI models designed to plug into real-world needs across healthcare, energy, mobility, and more. Turning AI into a super-utility: always on and accessible, always learning, and designed to serve and scale. Throughout the day, from keynotes and panels to informal conversations, participants explored how intelligence is becoming the connective tissue of modern life. The program ran from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., followed by dinner and evening entertainment. Because Supercharged wasn't just about what was said on stage, it was about the ideas that emerged offstage. The ones shaping what's next. Curated Highlights To better support editors and journalists covering distinct news verticals, we've distilled key moments from Supercharged 2025 into three thematic categories: Business & Technology, Lifestyle, and UAE News (more information for each can be found in the corresponding sections above or shared by our agency). Business & Technology Supercharged 2025 spotlighted G42's evolution into a global AI systems architect, with fireside chat appearances by Microsoft's Brad Smith and OpenAI's Sam Altman, reinforcing strategic alignment. Central to the event was G42's vision for the 'Intelligence Grid,' a distributed network of AI models, data centers, and compute infrastructure already taking shape through initiatives like Stargate UAE and the 5GW UAE–U.S. AI Campus. The summit also featured breakthroughs from AI-native firm Analog and G42's new Intelligence Grid interactive and immersive experience. UAE News High-level UAE leadership played a central role at the event, with H.E. Mansoor Al Mansoori (DoH), H.E. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti (Cybersecurity Council), and H.E. Eng. Salem Al Qubaisi (UAE Space Agency) all contributing insights. The program demonstrated Abu Dhabi's commitment to global leadership in health, space, cybersecurity, and responsible AI. Additionally, H.E. Ibrahim Al Jallaf, Executive Director of Digital Health, DoH – Abu Dhabi and H.E. Ahmed Al Shamsi, CEO of Emirates Foundation, attended dedicated sessions. Lifestyle Beyond AI, Supercharged 2025 offered a fully immersive cultural and sensory experience with a curated 'Global Food Grid' dining journey, live performances by David Chesky, and a trailer for the Bee:wild documentary, which features Angelina Jolie and Ellie Goulding. Now part of Re:wild, Leonardo DiCaprio's conservation NGO, the initiative highlights global efforts to protect pollinators and biodiversity. It was a celebration of creativity, sustainability, and tech-driven storytelling. Full Days Agenda Time Agenda Item Session Title Speakers 08:00 09:00 ARRIVAL OF GUESTS 09:00 09:10 Intro & Welcome 'Welcome to Supercharged' Faheem Ahamed, Group CMO, G42 09:10 10:00 Keynote 'G42 Journey and Future of Industry ' Peng Xiao, Group CEO, G42 10:00 10:30 Fireside Chat ' The Intelligence Grid: Lives Lifted Everywhere' Peng Xiao, Group CEO, G42, Brad Smith, President and Vice Chairman, Microsoft 10:35 11:30 BREAK 11:30 12:00 Panel 'The AI Energy Nexus: Long Live Electric Dreams' Moderated by Magdalena Konig, General Counsel, AIQ Hassan Alnaqbi, CEO, Khazna Chris Midgley, SVP, Energy Intelligence & Outlooks, ADNOC Andy Hock, Chief Product & Strategy Officer, Cerebras Systems 12:00 12:05 Opening Remarks 'The Intelligence to Live Longer, Better' H.E. Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman, Department of Health - Abu Dhabi 12:05 12:45 Panel 'The Leap to Longevity: Forever Healthy' Moderated by Amandeep Bhangu, Presenter & Moderator Voice Media London H.E. Ibrahim Al Jallaf, Executive Director of Digital Health, Department of Health - Abu Dhabi Dr. Tiffany Vora, Expert & Singularity Fellow in Biotechnology, Singularity University and Non-resident Senior Fellow at the GeoTech Center for the Atlantic Council. PhD. Georges-Pascal Haber, CEO, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Dimitris Moulavasilis, CEO, M42 12:45 13:15 Panel 'Intelligence From Space: The New Frontiers on Earth' Moderated by Talal M. Al Kaissi, EVP, Chief Government Affairs & Partnerships Officer - Core42 & Group Chief Global Affairs Officer, G42 Karim Sabbagh, MD, Space42 H.E. Eng. Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director General, UAE Space Agency Greg Wyler, Founder, CEO & Chief Architect, E-Space 13:15 15:05 LUNCH BREAK 15:05 15:45 Panel 'AI-Native Nations: Smarter Lives Unlocked' Moderated by Brian Lott, Group Chief Communications Officer, Mubadala Opening Remarks by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council Thomas Pramotedham, CEO, Presight Kiril Evtimov, Group CTO, G42 & CEO, Core 42 Rod Solaimani, Middle East Policy & Partnerships Lead, OpenAI 15:45 16:25 Panel 'Responsible Intelligence: Igniting The Future' Moderated Faheem Ahamed, Group CMO, G42 H.E. Ahmed Al Shamsi, CEO, Emirates Foundation Andrew Jackson, Group Chief AI Officer Baroness Joanna Shields, Founder and CEO of Precognition Natasha Crampton, VP, Chief Responsible AI Officer, Microsoft 16:25 16:30 Bee:Wild documentary presentation Faheem Ahamed 16:30 17:30 BREAK 17:30 18:00 Keynote 'The AI-Physical AI Revolution: More Than Humans' Alex Kipman, CEO, Analog 18:00 18:30 Fireside Chat 'AI First Organizations: Augmented Thought Leadership' Maymee Kurian, Group Chief Human Capital & Culture Officer, G42 Josh Bersin, Founder and CEO, The Josh Bersin Company 18:30 19:00 Closing Remarks Peng Xiao, Group CEO, G42 Sam Altman, Founder and CEO, OpenAI 19:00 21:00 DINNER Across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between, Supercharged guests will experience the Global Food Grid - a curated culinary journey celebrating the richness of global traditions. Guests can choose between four immersive dining paths, each inspired by a different region of the world: the Middle East and India, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Performance by acclaimed composer David Chesky and his Jazz Trio band 21:00 00:00 EVENING ENTERTAINMENT 9:00 PM - 9:45 PM Raphy J, an Amsterdam-born open format DJ and music producer, will bring his global sound to the stage. With a career spanning London, New York, LA, and now Dubai, Raphy J is known for his genre-spanning performances—seamlessly mixing Pop, R&B, Afrobeats, House, Latin, Arabic, and Hindi music. His sets have lit up stages at venues like Expo 2020, Time Out Market, and the Museum of the Future. ABOUT G42 G42 is a technology holding group and a global leader in creating visionary artificial intelligence for a better tomorrow. Born in Abu Dhabi and operating worldwide, G42 champions AI as a powerful force for good across industries. From molecular biology to space exploration and everything in between, G42 realizes exponential possibilities today. Media contact TrailRunner International – G42@


Khaleej Times
12 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How extreme summer heat can trigger underlying diseases, worsen symptoms
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Khaleej Times
18 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Why is everyone so obsessed with Labubu dolls?
In today's evolving lifestyle scene, a curious trend has taken root: the rise of collectables and miniatures. Among these, Labubu – a quirky, bug-eyed character with a mischievous grin – has become an unexpected sensation. From toys to cakes, Labubu's presence is everywhere, captivating Gen-Z and millennials alike. The mixed-method model of research reveals that social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have significantly influenced this trend. Constant exposure to trending items creates a strong urge among Gen-Z and millennials to own them, with the concept of FOMO (fear of missing out) playing a substantial role. 'Gen-Z has grown up in a rapidly changing, digitalised, and unpredictable world, which can create feelings of global uncertainty and instability. They may feel they have no control over what is happening in the world, or even in their own lives. The act of collecting and curating these items provides a sense of control in a manageable and predictable world, which can be incredibly soothing. In addition, these objects often evoke positive emotions, linking to childhood memories and offering a much-needed emotional reprieve,' said Dr Amir Firouzjaei, a Chinese medicine practitioner at Dubai-based medical centre Wellth. In the UAE, the demand for miniatures and collectables is steadily rising both as keepsakes and in creative formats like desserts. Mini-cakes, in particular, have become a popular choice for gifting and celebrations. As the country continues to embrace this miniature (r)evolution, it's evident that sometimes, the smallest things can make the most significant impact. Despite the high pricing of certain items, people continue to invest in them whether as souvenirs while travelling, as unique birthday cakes, or simply as a hobby. Passionate community of collectors Hassan Tamimi, CEO of The Little Things, said the excitement surrounding Labubu has gone beyond the usual collector demographic, drawing in a more varied and diverse audience to retail locations and digital channels. This rising interest has significantly boosted the entire collectables segment and focused efforts to support the passionate community of collectors across the Middle East. 'Miniature collectables are often priced quite high, yet people are still willing to buy them. The blend of nostalgia and new fandoms, coupled with the thrill of collecting, continues to fuel the vibrant and evolving collectables scene in the region,' he said. Dubai-based collector Utkarsh Shivaraj shared his journey into the world of designer toys and miniatures: 'As a child, I admired characters in cartoons and movies for their unique designs. That fascination grew into a passion for collecting. What started as buying one item every few months has turned into a regular hobby that sees me decorating my home with visually striking pieces.' 'Collecting designer toys and miniatures brings emotional comfort and helps me reconnect with my inner child. It's a creative escape, where I imagine a fictional world that makes me feel like the main character, surrounded by my favourite characters even if they aren't real,' added Shivaraj. Miniature objects often evoke strong emotional responses due to the Baby Schema Theory, which suggests that features like large eyes and small noses trigger caregiving instincts in humans" Carolyn Yaffe Carolyn Yaffe, counsellor and cognitive behaviour therapist at Medcare Camali Clinic in Dubai, provided insights into the psychological appeal of miniatures. She said: 'Miniature objects often evoke strong emotional responses due to the Baby Schema Theory, which suggests that features like large eyes and small noses trigger caregiving instincts in humans. 'Characters such as Labubu or Grogu possess these traits, tapping into our innate desire to nurture and protect. Miniatures represent a 'contained world,' offering feelings of comfort and safety. Their small size reflects intimacy and manageability, making them less threatening. In bustling urban environments like Dubai, these miniatures can serve as calming, portable sanctuaries, symbolising peace amidst chaos,' she added. Desire to nurture and protect Maneet Singh, psychotherapist and mental health counsellor at Keyani Wellness Center, shares the sentiment, noting: 'In stressful or uncertain times, people often value emotional comfort over practical utility. Miniatures can evoke memories, reflect identity, and spark joy. When something makes us feel safe or seen, its emotional worth can easily outweigh its price.' For Sahil Sajan, director at Milano by Danube, the ongoing Labubu trend is particularly intriguing. 'It's captivating to observe how such unique designs resonate with people and evolve. These collectables represent stories, cultures, and personal experiences. Incorporating them into my living spaces adds a layer of personality and nostalgia, making each piece a cherished part of my journey,' he said. 'As a content creator,' said FelyJoy Gonzales, 'I've seen first-hand how miniature desserts capture attention instantly. They're not just food, they're eye candy. These tiny creations are super aesthetic, playful, and unique, which makes them perfect for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Sometimes, I even find mini items that resemble things from back home, and that connection makes the memory stronger.' As the collectables landscape continues to evolve, it's evident that these miniature treasures offer more than just aesthetic appeal, they provide a tangible connection to cherished memories and cultural identities, resonating deeply with collectors across the Middle East and beyond. KT Luxe