Istanbul- Obesity is no longer treated in global medical circles as a mere problem related to appearance or lifestyle, but rather as a chronic and complex disease associated with dozens of health complications, at a time when research is accelerating to uncover a new generation of drug treatments that go beyond the goal of losing weight to improving general health and quality of life.
At the European Congress on Obesity 2026, held in Istanbul, doctors, researchers and pharmaceutical companies discussed the latest innovations related to obesity treatment, including new oral pills and long-acting injections, in addition to studies that addressed the impact of these treatments on sleep disorders, women’s health, and metabolism.
The conference is considered one of the most prominent European events specialized in research on obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders, and this year witnessed widespread interest in treatments based on semaglutide and tirzepatide, which are behind a number of the most famous modern obesity drugs after the great results they have achieved globally.
Easier and more flexible treatments
Dr. Muhammad Sadiq Al-Eidan, an obesity and metabolic disease specialist from Kuwait, said that the conference focused remarkably on the new generation of obesity treatments, explaining that current developments are no longer limited to weekly injections, but also include monthly injections and oral pills that are expected to change the form of treatment in the coming years.
He added that pharmaceutical companies are moving towards developing easier and more flexible treatment options, which will help raise patients’ compliance rates with treatment and achieve better results in the long term, especially with the increasing recognition of obesity as a chronic disease that requires continuous monitoring.
He pointed out that the studies presented showed promising results for new treatments in terms of weight loss and improving metabolic indicators, especially drugs based on “semaglutide” and “tirzepatide.”
Obesity and sleep disorders
For his part, Dr. Muhammad Asha, an internal medicine consultant from Qatar, said that the medical view of obesity has changed significantly in recent years, explaining that obesity is today linked to health complications that go beyond weight gain itself.
He added that the conference discussed the close relationship between obesity and sleep disorders, especially sleep apnea, a condition that may lead to chronic fatigue and high risks of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
He explained that a number of recent studies have shown that new obesity treatments may contribute to improving sleep quality and reducing symptoms of sleep apnea, by reducing weight and improving metabolic and respiratory functions in patients.
He stressed that dealing with obesity as a chronic disease helps develop more comprehensive treatment plans that focus on preventing complications and improving quality of life, not just reducing weight.
Growing enthusiasm for new pills
In turn, Dr. Venkat Kilian, General Manager of Obesity Drug Development at Novo Nordisk, said that there is “great enthusiasm” within the medical community for the new obesity treatment pills, noting that the recent American approval of some oral treatments based on “semaglutide” has opened the door to a different stage in the treatment of obesity globally.
He added that these medicines witnessed widespread demand in a short period, with about two million prescriptions registered and the number of users reaching nearly one million patients within a short time.
He explained that work is underway to make these therapeutic innovations available in the Gulf countries and Arab markets, which may be among the first regions outside the United States to obtain these treatments.
He also pointed out that the conference reviewed new studies that addressed the impact of obesity treatments on women during menopause, where the results showed a noticeable weight loss and improvement in a number of health indicators, which was considered an important development for a group facing complex hormonal and health challenges.
He added that some studies have also discussed the effect of higher doses of modern treatments in patients who respond early, with results he described as “promising” in achieving greater weight loss and improving health indicators associated with obesity.
Treatments that go beyond weight loss
Conference participants believe that current developments in obesity medications may pave the way for a new stage in dealing with the disease, based on multiple treatment options and linking weight loss to improving general health, including sleep, heart health, metabolism, and quality of life.
With the continuation of research and the emergence of new medications in the form of long-acting pills and injections, it seems that the future of obesity treatment is moving towards more diverse and effective solutions, at a time when calls are increasing globally to deal with obesity as one of the most prominent chronic health challenges in the world.