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A Primary Care Model for Obesity Management: Lessons from Oman
Amal Al Siyabi, Hanan Al Siyabi
Ministry of Health, Oman
Background: Obesity is a major public health challenge in Oman and a leading contributor to noncommunicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The Omani National Noncommunicable Disease Survey (2017) reported that 66% of adults are overweight or obese, highlighting a substantial burden on the health system. Despite this, structured obesity management in primary care remains limited, and obesity is often not treated as a chronic condition. Primary care–based obesity clinics offer an effective platform for early intervention, continuity of care, and patient-centered management. In July 2023, a multidisciplinary obesity clinic was established at Bidbid Health Centre to provide care focusing on lifestyle modification, education, motivation, and follow-up.
Methods: Adult patients aged ≥18 years enrolled from July 2023 onward were included. All underwent assessment including history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and body composition analysis. Management followed a multidisciplinary approach emphasizing lifestyle modification, with anti-obesity medications used in selected cases. Follow-up visits occurred every two months. Outcomes included weight change and metabolic improvement over 6–12 months.
Results: A total of 170 patients were registered. Fifty patients achieved weight loss of 3–15 kg, with only three requiring medications. Three patients with type 2 diabetes lost over 15 kg and discontinued insulin therapy. One hypertensive patient lost over 10 kg and stopped antihypertensive medication. Five patients with prediabetes or prehypertension achieved normalized metabolic parameters.
Conclusion: A structured, multidisciplinary obesity clinic in primary care can achieve meaningful weight loss and metabolic improvement, demonstrating its potential to reduce obesity-related morbidity.
