Beirut, Lebanon, 10 September 2026 – Novo Nordisk, a leading global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Denmark, marked an important milestone in Lebanon by securing the availability of an innovative healthcare solution for people living with obesity and overweight. The company announced this milestone through a dedicated media conference held at AVA Beirut, as part of its “Live Lighter” campaign, which aims to raise awareness on weight management and promote a healthier future for the society.
The event brought together the Danish ambassador to Lebanon, representative of the Ministry of Public Health, the president of the Lebanese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Lipids, the president of the Order of Pharmacists in Lebanon and Novo Nordisk representatives to discuss the medical, social and public health impact of obesity, one of the country’s most pressing yet often misunderstood health challenges.
The sheer magnitude of the obesity challenge is staggering, placing an unsustainable economic strain on health systems all over the world1. In fact, obesity has emerged as a significant global epidemic, affecting close to 1 billion individuals worldwide2. According to the World Obesity Federation, the prevalence of obesity in 2025 among adults in Lebanon is estimated at 31.56%, rising to around 68% when including adults with overweight3,4. This is resulting in 2.86 million people living with obesity in Lebanon. Against this backdrop, the need for coordinated action at the national level was a key focus of the discussion.
Obesity requires a coordinated national response, and the time to act is now,” said Dr. Randa Hamadeh, Primary Health Care Center directorate, Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon.
“Obesity is currently receiving greater attention as part of Lebanon’s public health priorities. Its impact goes beyond weight itself, affecting people’s overall health, quality of life and, ultimately, the healthcare system. That’s why our focus is to move from awareness to coordinated and sustainable action, bringing together prevention, education, healthcare professionals, and appropriate support for people living with obesity. Primary healthcare will provide the foundation for this intervention, ensuring that prevention, early identification, management and referral are integrated into accessible and sustainable health services. As an initial step, the Ministry of Public Health has established a national committee bringing together relevant experts to guide this work and support a coordinated national.”
Echoing the importance of collaboration, Mette Thygesen, Ambassador of Denmark to Lebanon, highlighted the longstanding ties between the two countries and Denmark’s presence alongside Lebanon throughout its different stages and challenges. She stated: “Denmark has long stood alongside the Lebanese people, and we remain committed to contributing to the country’s future. By bringing together expertise, innovation and collaboration, we can help address important health challenges such as obesity and advance better health outcomes and quality of life.”
Reflecting on Novo Nordisk’s role in addressing obesity in Lebanon, Mais Batarseh, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Levant, added; “this milestone reflects our long-term commitment to addressing obesity and weight management in Lebanon. By bringing an innovative, evidence-based treatment option to the Lebanese market, we aim to support people living with obesity and the healthcare professionals who guide them. Through initiatives such as ‘Live Lighter,’ we also want to raise awareness, encourage more open conversations and help people access the care and support they need on their journey towards better health.”
Turning to the clinical perspective, Dr. Hajar Ballout, Head of the Lebanese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Lipids, explained: “Obesity is not simply a matter of willpower, as many biological factors can influence weight management. Every person’s journey is different, highlighting the importance of greater awareness, open conversations with healthcare professionals and personalized support to help people achieve better health outcomes. The availability of new therapeutic options, including GLP-1-based treatments when appropriate, provides specialists with additional tools to support people living with obesity, particularly those with obesity-related complications. When prescribed appropriately and used alongside lifestyle support, these treatments may contribute to meaningful weight reduction and improvements in relevant health outcomes.”
Extending this support beyond the physician’s office and throughout the patient journey, Dr. Abdulrahman Merkbawi, President of the Order of Pharmacists in Lebanon, highlighted the important role pharmacists can play as an accessible point of guidance and support. He added: “Pharmacists can play an important role in raising awareness around obesity and weight management, addressing misconceptions and encouraging people to seek the right professional support. Through trusted conversations and collaboration across the healthcare community, we can help people better understand weight management and guide them towards appropriate care, while ensuring that every patient is treated with respect and without stigma.”
The event concluded with a shared commitment to advancing obesity awareness, reducing stigma and strengthening collaboration across Lebanon’s healthcare community. Through collective action, stakeholders aim to support people living with obesity in achieving better health and quality of life
About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 69505 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and YouTube.
References
- Okunogbe A, Nugent R, Spencer G, Powis J, Ralston J, Wilding J. The Economic Impact of Overweight & Obesity in 2020 and 2060: 2nd Edition with Estimates for 161 Countries. World Obesity Federation; 2022:5,
- World Health Organization. Obesity and overweight. WHO Fact Sheet; 2025: Overview,
- World Obesity Federation. Global Obesity Observatory: Ranking (% obesity by country). Adults, both sexes; Lebanon: 31.56%. Global Obesity Observatory; 2026, Lebanon adult obesity ranking table.
- World Obesity Federation. World Obesity Atlas 2025. Lebanon Country Scorecard; “Adults with high BMI in 2025”: 68%.