Meet Dr Uzair Shabbir: Bringing Evidence-Based Lifestyle Medicine to Beyondbmi
Estimated reading time: about 3 minutes
At Beyondbmi, science and empathy go hand-in-hand. We’re delighted to welcome Dr Uzair Shabbir (General Practitioner & Consultant in Family Medicine, GP Fellow, Lifestyle Medicine & Behaviour Change Expert, Lecturer, Clinical Educator & Public Health Advocate, MD, MICGP, FICGP, AFIPC) to our growing clinical team. A GP, researcher, and educator, Dr Shabbir joins us with a mission to deepen the evidence base behind compassionate obesity care.
Q: What drew you to Beyondbmi?
What drew me to Beyondbmi was its patient-centred, science-driven approach to obesity care. It’s not just about numbers or medication, it’s about understanding people, their stories, and their potential for change. That philosophy mirrors my own journey through general practice and lifestyle medicine. BeyondBMI provides the opportunity to bring together clinical expertise, behavioural science, and empathy in a way that genuinely transforms care.
Q: Your background blends general practice, teaching, and research. How does that inform your approach to obesity care?
My work as a GP has taught me to see the person behind the diagnosis. Teaching and research have deepened that perspective, reminding me that evidence and empathy must go hand in hand. Whether in a consultation, classroom, or community setting, my goal is to empower people to take charge of their health. I’ve learned that sustainable change begins when medical care feels personal, practical, and culturally informed.
Q: What role does lifestyle medicine play alongside pharmacological therapy?
Lifestyle medicine is the foundation of everything I do. It’s about addressing root causes: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, and social connection. Pharmacological therapy can be a powerful tool, but it works best when used alongside lifestyle change. The integration of both, supporting the body medically while empowering the person behaviourally, produces the most meaningful outcomes.
Q: You’ve spoken about patient motivation in your previous writing. What have you learned from those experiences?
Motivation isn’t a one-off spark, it’s a process that evolves with support and understanding. Through years in general practice and community outreach, I’ve learned that real progress comes when patients feel heard and valued. Sometimes, what people need most isn’t more information, it’s belief in themselves, and someone willing to walk that journey with them.
Q: As both clinician and educator, what excites you most about joining Beyondbmi now?
I’m excited to join a team that shares a vision for compassionate, evidence-based obesity care. BeyondBMI is leading a new era of metabolic health management, where lifestyle, medication, and technology come together to empower patients. This role allows me to combine my work in general practice, education, and research to improve how we prevent and manage chronic disease.
About Dr Shabbir
Dr Uzair Shabbir is a General Practitioner and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner based in Kerry. He is a HSE Aspire Clinical Academic Fellow specialising in physical activity and chronic disease management, a GP Lead and Associate Fellow of the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC), and Chair of the Kerry Faculty of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP).
He is also the founder of the Kerry Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, which focuses on preventive and personalised care for cardiometabolic health. In addition, Dr Shabbir serves as Vice Chair of the Kerry Islamic Outreach Society, championing health equity, prevention, and culturally sensitive care through research, teaching, and community engagement.
