RE:SUMMIT 2026 opens in Dubai to challenge stigma around obesity

RE:SUMMIT 2026 will bring doctors, psychologists, media figures and public voices to Dubai on Nov. 7 for a free public forum on obesity, its causes and the impact of weight stigma. The event aims to shift the conversation from blame to science, and to encourage people to seek informed care and support.

Why it matters: - Obesity is one of the Gulf region’s biggest public health challenges, with more than a third of adults affected in several GCC countries, according to World Health Organization data. - RE:SUMMIT 2026 is designed to push the public conversation beyond appearance and blame. - The event centers obesity as a chronic, complex disease shaped by biological, psychological, behavioral and environmental factors. - The forum also highlights the real-world impact of weight stigma on confidence, self-worth and care-seeking.

What happened: - RE:SUMMIT 2026 will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Arena Jumeirah in Dubai. - Lilly Gulf is organizing the first edition of the event. - The forum is free and is expected to draw about 2,500 participants. - The event will bring together physicians, experts, government officials, media figures and influencers. - Organizers say the goal is to build a broader public understanding of obesity through science and lived experience.

The details: - Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and an obesity medicine physician and researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, leads the speaker lineup. - Stanford’s work focuses on obesity, health disparities and weight-based discrimination. - Stanford said obesity is a chronic, complex disease and that no single approach works for everyone. - Stanford said care can include nutrition, physical activity, behavioral and psychological support, medication, or surgery in some cases. - The event will also feature UAE entrepreneur and #ABtalks host Anas Bukhash moderating a discussion with Chris Fade, content creator Hadeel Marri and entrepreneur and content creator Karen Wazen. - The session will examine the link between weight, self-image and social expectations. - Chris Fade and Hadeel Marri will discuss their personal experiences with obesity and related stigma. - Karen Wazen will discuss social pressure and the influence of social media on body image. - Clinical psychology and nutrition specialists will join sessions aimed at simplifying the science behind weight and health. - The event will include interactive activities, including a digital wall focused on the effect of common weight-related comments. - Attendees will also find spaces that encourage recognition of the daily steps people take to care for their health. - Lilly Gulf’s vice president and general manager for the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, Teelat Akhras, said everyone deserves reliable scientific information free from blame and prejudice. - Akhras said the event was launched from the UAE to bring science closer to the public and correct common misconceptions about obesity. - Akhras said the company hopes participants will leave with a wider understanding of the disease and more confidence to ask questions and seek medical advice. - Registration is required in advance because space is limited. - More information and registration are available here.

Between the lines: - The event’s framing reflects a broader shift in obesity care from moral judgment to medical understanding. - By pairing medical experts with media personalities and personal stories, the program is built to make a clinical topic more relatable to the public. - The emphasis on language, stigma and self-image suggests organizers want to address barriers that can keep people from getting help.

What's next: - The public forum opens on Nov. 7, 2026, and registration remains open until capacity is reached. - Organizers are positioning RE:SUMMIT as a platform for continued public discussion about obesity, stigma and access to care. - The event could set the tone for more community-focused health conversations in the UAE and wider Gulf region.