Struggling to lose weight? This new Saudi mobile app might be the answer

Riyadh: Kilow - a new digital health startup from Saudi Arabia - officially launched on Wednesday, promising a novel, "science-backed" approach to weight loss tailored for the local population. The platform integrates lifestyle coaching, health tracking, and access to modern medical treatments, such as GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy), within a single application. Plans are also underway to integrate AI-powered meal-tracking options into the application.

Developed by local experts for the specific needs of Saudi residents, Kilow is currently exclusively available within the Kingdom and in Arabic. The company said it plans to add other languages at a later date.

Kilow said it helps users “lose weight in a safe, sustainable, and personalized way, whether they need expert medical support, habit-building tools, or targeted intervention options.”

Practical approach

Four-time startup founder Fahed Al Essa founded Kilow. His career spans five countries and two decades across healthcare, biotech, and digital health.

“This isn’t just another weight loss app,” said Al Essa. “It is built by people who understand the Saudi lifestyle and our health challenges. For me, Kilow is deeply personal. After years of struggling with my weight, I finally feel like I’ve found a solution that works, and I wanted to share that with others.”

Al Essa said Kilow’s approach is a “practical, culturally relevant approach to change.”

“If you tell someone in the GCC to stop eating rice, they probably won’t. But if you teach them how to eat rice better, that’s where we specialize. We don’t want to overhaul your life. We give you small, practical tools, like having vinegar before your rice meal, to reduce blood sugar spikes—tiny changes. Big effect,” he explained.

‘One-stop-shop for weight loss’

Positioning itself as a "One-Stop Shop for Weight Loss in Saudi Arabia," Kilow enters a market grappling with increasing rates of obesity and related chronic conditions, mirroring a global trend across developed nations.

The platform claims to streamline the weight loss process by eliminating "friction, guesswork, and overwhelm" through its integrated features.

It focuses on personalized nutrition, sleep, and exercise coaching and provides at-home lab testing and real-time health tracking. Kilow facilitates home delivery of medications and health essentials and access to licensed medical consultations and optional GLP-1 medications.

Users can download the app, fill in a few health details, and receive a free medical consultation. Al Essa explained that after approval, they can choose from flexible, affordable plans ranging from one to six months.

What’s next?

With regional expansion on the horizon, the company is also preparing to announce its first funding round in the coming weeks. “We believe Saudi Arabia can lead the future of digital health,” said Al Essa. “With Kilow, we’re proud to show what local innovation can do- meeting real patient needs with real solutions.”

Al Essa said future product plans include AI-powered meal tracking, personalized real-time coaching based on real-time activity and biometrics, and precision health features.

These include genetic and hormonal testing to personalize treatment paths, smart meal feedback using wearable glucose and activity data, and adaptive habit coaching powered by behavioural science. The company said it is also working on providing voice-guided check-ins to improve engagement and emotional well-being, as well as predictive health scoring to identify weight loss plateaus before they happen.