Opportunities for Obesity Research, Treatment and Prevention being Explored in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Leading Saudi Arabia Workshop on Metabolic Health Features Pennington Biomedical Researchers, Future Partnerships being Explored

Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, or SBAHC, a leading non-profit medical institute in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La., are pleased to announce that they are exploring a partnership to address one of the most critical public health challenges facing the world today—obesity.

This opportunity leverages the strengths of both institutions—SBAHC's expertise in comprehensive rehabilitation and patient-centered approaches and Pennington Biomedical's global leadership in metabolic research—to pursue developing a first-of-its-kind Metabolic Wellness Center, designed to treat, manage, and prevent obesity, with a particular focus on individuals suffering from Extreme Obesity.

As part of a newly signed memorandum of understanding between SBAHC and Pennington Biomedical, experts from both institutions conducted a workshop for surgeons, physicians and other health management leaders on "Introducing New Guidelines for Management of Extreme Obesity, Obesity with Disability, Metabolic and Other Related Diseases: A Collaborative Clinical and Research Opportunity Between Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City and Pennington Biomedical Research Center."

"Pennington Biomedical is pleased to engage in discussions with Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City around a collaboration that would transform lives through metabolic research and care," said Dr. John Kirwan, Penington Biomedical Executive Director. "In this effort, we are confident that we can work toward innovative interventions for obesity and related conditions."

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions across the globe. According to the Public Health Authority Weqaya's Obesity Control & Prevention Strategy, Saudi Arabia is ranked fourth among countries for obesity and more than 32 percent of school-age children are living with obesity, which poses significant public health challenges. In the U.S. and Louisiana, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over two-thirds of the population has overweight, and approaching 10 percent of the population are facing Extreme Obesity—defined as a body mass index, or BMI, equal to or over 60, or a BMI equal to or over 35 with additional complex medical conditions.

The higher a person's BMI, the greater likelihood for developing serious health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, and cancer. For individuals with a BMI over 60, the risks multiply—many are left bedridden, with limited mobility, and often too incapacitated for traditional interventions such as lifestyle changes or pharmacotherapy.

"In partnering with Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a renowned institution in the field of obesity and diabetes research and treatment, Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City aims to develop the first of its kind Metabolic Wellness Center. This center will serve as a comprehensive facility dedicated to addressing all aspects of obesity, diabetes including diagnosis, management, prevention, surgical and rehabilitation.

"By combining the expertise and strengths of both Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City and Pennington Biomedical Research Center in both the healthcare and research field, we are committed to delivering the highest standards of care and outcomes for our patients. This collaboration will not only improve the health and well-being of individuals affected by obesity and diabetes but also serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for others struggling with their weight and metabolic diseases," said Mr. Abdullah Bin Zarah, CEO of SBAHC.

Plans among SBAHC and Pennington Biomedical will focus on addressing the unique and urgent needs of individuals living with obesity, particularly those who are beyond the reach of lifestyle changes or pharmacological treatments. One significant area in the planning is a Metabolic Wellness Center to serve as a hub for clinical treatment, research and development, and professional training in obesity medicine and metabolic health.

The "Introducing New Guidelines for Management of Extreme Obesity, Obesity with Disability, Metabolic and Other Related Diseases" workshop covered topics such as medical management, nutrition, psychology, rehabilitation, translational research, and advanced and comprehensive treatments for obesity and diabetes, along with overviews of SBAHC, Pennington Biomedical and the Metamor Institute.

Pennington Biomedical researchers who helped lead the workshop included:

• John Kiwan, Executive Director and George A. Bray, Jr. Endowed Super Chair in Nutrition
• Philip Schauer, Director of the Metamor Institute and United Companies Life Insurance Co./Mary Kay and Terrell Brown Chair
• Leanne Redman, Associate Executive Director for Scientific Education and Director Nutrition Obesity Research Center
• Hans-Rudoff Berthoud, George H. Bray Professor in Neurobiology & Nutrition.

Both SBAHC and Pennington Biomedical focus on translating cutting-edge research into practical, scalable healthcare solutions including comprehensive care models that address patient needs prior to and following bariatric surgery. Together the two institutions aim to pioneer new treatments and therapies for extreme obesity through obesity medicine, bariatric surgery, and lifestyle management.

About Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City

Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, or SBAHC, is a non-profit organization established by Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Charitable Foundation. SBAHC is 511-bed Rehabilitation Hospital and Advanced Surgical Center that offers top-quality medical care to both inpatients, outpatients, and home health care. It provides comprehensive healthcare services, including rehabilitation, long-term care, and medical treatment. The facility is a resort-like and covers an area of 1,200,000 square meters, located north of Riyadh City in the Banban area.

The institution is committed to patient safety and quality improvement, with initiatives aimed at achieving zero harm and enhancing patient outcomes through a culture of safety and best practices.

For more information, visit https://sbahc.org.sa/.

About the Pennington Biomedical Research Center

The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is at the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the triggers of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia. The Center conducts basic, clinical, and population research, and is a campus of the LSU System. The research enterprise at Pennington Biomedical includes over 530 employees within a network of 44 clinics and research laboratories, and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Its scientists and physician/scientists are supported by research trainees, lab technicians, nurses, dietitians, and other support personnel. Pennington Biomedical is a state-of-the-art research facility on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge. For more information, see www.pbrc.edu.

Provided by Louisiana State University