A new Study Uncovers Unprecedented Socioeconomic Benefits of Obesity Treatment in Saudi Arabia
- Accelerating obesity treatment in Saudi Arabia could benefit more than 3.3 million people, unlock $1.8 billion in healthcare savings, and boost GDP growth by 2030, according to a new report by Whiteshield, launched on the sidelines of the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh.
- Commissioned by Lilly, the study explores far-reaching positive impacts across the Kingdom’s health, economy, society, and education, demonstrating the power of progressive obesity policies to drive long-term transformation.
Riyadh, KSA, 29 October 2025 – ‘Uncovering the Full Scale of the Economic and Societal Benefits of Weight Loss’, a new report by AI economics policy advisory Whiteshield, commissioned by Lilly, reveals that accelerated obesity intervention could help 3.3 million people in Saudi Arabia transition out of obesity by 2030, delivering wide-ranging benefits across health, the economy, society, and education in line with Vision 2030.
The report highlights possible cost reduction, GDP increase, life expectancy, workforce readiness and education ranking. In addition to unlocking up to $1.8 billion in healthcare costs to the local government and individuals, the report highlights that accelerated obesity intervention could result in a one-percentage-point boost to GDP growth until 2030, lifting national GDP to an estimated $1.41 trillion. Tackling obesity could also increase the participation of Saudi nationals in the workforce by empowering almost 23,000 additional males and over 53,000 additional females to join the workforce by 2030, supporting local Saudization goals.
‘Uncovering the Full Scale of the Economic and Societal Benefits of Weight Loss’ states that obesity intervention could increase life expectancy by 1.1 years for nearly 10 million people previously living with obesity in the Kingdom. Obesity interventions can also stimulate the education sector with the potential to increase Bachelor enrollment by over 10,000 during the same period.
“Obesity studies have too often been limited to a narrow equation: the cost of intervention versus the cost of treatment. For the first time, this report reveals the true scale of benefits, not only for health, but for the economy, society, and the future workforce. The message is clear: effective obesity policies are not just good health policy, they are good economic policy. With recent breakthroughs in research and innovation, countries now have the opportunity to confront the socioeconomic burden of obesity with unprecedented urgency and ambition,” said Fadi Farra, Founder and Managing Partner of Whiteshield.
Commenting on the report, Mostafa Abdelrahman, President and General Manager of Lilly in the Saudi Arabia Regional Headquarter, said: “Whiteshield’s report provides critical insights into the true impact of obesity on our economy, revealing the true cost of this disease.
We welcome Saudi Arabia’s openness to adopting innovative solutions to transform national health approaches and weight management and we are ready to work together with policymakers and healthcare leaders to turn this evidence into action, ensuring Saudi Arabia leads the way in setting a new standard to tackle obesity as an economic as well as a health challenge.”
The report, titled ‘Uncovering the Full Scale of the Economic and Societal Benefits of Weight Loss’, was launched on the sidelines of the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh. Based on an in-depth analysis of Saudi Arabia’s health and economic data, the Whiteshield report, commissioned by Lilly, presents a comprehensive assessment of the multifaceted benefits of obesity intervention and serves as a guide for informed policymaking.
Accelerated obesity intervention assumes that innovative weight loss solutions reach 57 percent of adults living with obesity. However, the report also states that even in the moderate weight loss scenario, benefits remain largely substantial for KSA, with positive impacts across all areas studied.
The study segments obesity intervention benefits into different key themes, aiming to capture the primary societal dimensions influenced by weight loss, consistent with scientific literature on the subject. These include health (physical and mental well-being, quality of life, and lifespan), economy (workforce productivity and growth), society (sustainable demographic development), and education (local capability advancement).
About Lilly
Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We’ve been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world’s most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer’s disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we’re motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable.
About Whiteshield
Whiteshield is a global advisory firm known for its ability to respond to global challenges rapidly and incisively. By integrating public policy and AI economics expertise with cutting-edge tools and technology, the Whiteshield team of leading international experts engages decision-makers to tackle society’s most significant challenges. Whiteshield is recognized for its rapid decision support, innovative solutions, data science algorithms, and deep policy knowledge. Its specialty is in “connecting the dots” between policy, business, and enhancing the lives of citizens.