The first step is easy
How To Overcome Obesity
Cara Mengatasi Obesiti
March 4, 2021
Berpuasa dan makan secara sihat di bulan Ramadhan dan Hari Raya
April 26, 2021
WHAT IS OBESITY?
The World Health Organization has defined overweight and obesity as an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. This in turn can seriously affect the health of an individual, and at times could prove to be fatal.
According to the National Health & Morbidity Survey 2015, 33.4% of the population is overweight (About 6.3 million population >18 years old) and 30.6% of the population is obese (About 5.7 million population >18 years old). About 2 out of 3 Malaysians are overweight or obese. However, in the recently published NHMS 2019 the situation is worsening and currently, 1 in 2 adults in Malaysia are overweight or obese.
Obesity Is
- ·A disease
- ·A worldwide health concern
- ·Caused by many factors
- ·Treatable and manageable
Obesity Is Not
- Your fault.
- Yours to manage alone.
- Just about food.
- Cured by a miracle treatment.
ASSESSING OBESITY
The most commonly used measure for obesity is the Body Mass Index (BMI) - a simple index to classify overweight and obesity in adults. In a BMI test, a person’s weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of his or her height (in meters). People are considered overweight when their BMI ranges between 23-27.5 kg/m² and obese when their BMI is above 27.5 kg/m
Overweight
Having a BMI in the overweight range (23- 27.5) is a health concern. Excess weight is hard on your body. It can lead to other health problems including obesity. People who have a BMI in the overweight range and have other health problems (such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease) need to see their healthcare provider for treatment options.
Obesity Obesity is a disease where a person’s weight is in an unhealthy range (BMI >27.5). It is a disease that can lead to other health problems. Talk with your healthcare provider to better understand and treat obesity.
Severe Obesity Someone who has a BMI greater than 40kg/m2 has severe obesity. Severe obesity has the greatest risk of other health problems. People with severe obesity need to see their healthcare provider for treatment options. Obesity is also defined by waist size - over 94 cm in males and over 80 cm in females. With every single increase in BMI, the chances of developing diseases like Diabetes, Hypertension increases
Obesity Obesity is a disease where a person’s weight is in an unhealthy range (BMI >27.5). It is a disease that can lead to other health problems. Talk with your healthcare provider to better understand and treat obesity.
Severe Obesity Someone who has a BMI greater than 40kg/m2 has severe obesity. Severe obesity has the greatest risk of other health problems. People with severe obesity need to see their healthcare provider for treatment options. Obesity is also defined by waist size - over 94 cm in males and over 80 cm in females. With every single increase in BMI, the chances of developing diseases like Diabetes, Hypertension increases
CAUSES OF OBESITY
Obesity occurs when you take in more calories than you burn through various activities. The most common causes of obesity are related to overeating and a lack of physical activity. Though a person’s body weight is the result of various internal and external factors, some people are at a disadvantage when it comes to controlling their eating behavior and lifestyle changes. Better understanding the causes of obesity can help you better treat obesity. Talk with your healthcare provider about your daily habits, medical history and family medical history to determine the best treatment plan for you.- ·Obesity is a complicated disease.
- ·Obesity has more than one cause.
- ·Obesity is not just about food.
- ·Obesity is not someone’s fault
Psychological Factors
- l·Weight management can be challenging if troubled by stress and other concerns.
- l·You need to work on these issues to be successful with your weight management.
Energy In/Energy Out
- l·An imbalance of calories in and calories burned may cause weight gain.
- l·Long daily commutes and desk jobs make it harder to get physical activity.
- l·Not all communities have safe spaces to run, bike or walk.
- l·Small bouts of increased physical activity throughout the day can be beneficial
Sleep Deprivation
- l·Some studies show a link between how much people sleep and how much people weigh.
- l·In general, people who do not get enough sleep may weigh more than people who do.
Appetite Signals/Hormones
- l·Your body has hormones (chemicals in your body that control function and activity of tissues and organs) that help let you know if you are hungry or full.
- l·The hormones that signal hunger and fullness do not always work correctly in people with obesity.
Genetic Factors
- l·Genes in your body can determine if you are more likely to have obesity.
- l·Having these genes is not a reason to give up on losing weight. Weight-loss as small as 5% can improve your overall health
WHAT ARE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY??
Excess weight can be hard on your whole body. More than 50 health problems are related to excess weight and obesity. These health problems are diseases and conditions that can decrease your quality of life and are commonly called obesity-related conditions. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider about these conditions.- Not everyone with obesity will develop every obesity-related condition.
- The more weight you carry, the more likely you are to develop obesity-related conditions.
- Finding and treating health conditions early is best for your overall health.
- Weight-loss as small as 5-10% can reduce the effects of obesity-related conditions.
Benefits of Weight Loss
WHAT TREATMENT PLANS SHOULD YOU CONSIDER?
Treatment plans are CUSTOMIZED for each individual. Your plan will likely not be the same as for others sitting in the waiting room. But early treatment is best for everyone. Always talk with your healthcare provider before starting a weight management program. Many treatment options are available and a combination is often used to manage obesity.Your healthcare providers play a major role in your weight management journey. They help you manage your weight and guide you with tools, resources and support. This partnership can make all the difference. You do not need to manage your weight alone.
Health Care Professional (HCP) Weight Management Options
A Multidisciplinary Team which consist of professionals such as physician, surgeon, counsellor, physiotherapist, dietitian and pharmacist who together help to ensure patients succeed with the right option and offer support throughout their weight loss journey.A physician who specializes in overweight / obesity medicine can offer you a clinical weight management program. Together with a bariatric nurse and case manager they will assist you in choosing the right weight management option that is suitable for you.
Lifestyle Modifications
Your everyday choices are your behaviour. They include everything from sleeping to what you have for lunch and if you take the stairs or the elevator. They fit together like puzzle pieces to form your lifestyle. Focusing on manageable modifications to improve your health is the goal. Do not become discouraged. Healthy is a lifestyle, not a size. Weight-loss can improve your overall health. It will take time and you may face set-backs, but the health benefits are significant.Physical Activity Modifications
Physical activity is key when managing obesity. It is best to start simple and keep it manageable. Take a walk around your housing area or park far away from the store when you go shopping. These are easy ways to make physical activity part of your day. Make sure to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise program.When making an exercise and physical activity plan, remember to:
- Make it simple.
- Make it realistic.
- Make it happen.
- Make it fun.
Nutrition Modifications
Changing your eating habits can be hard. We are surrounded by convenience foods high in fat and calories and low in nutritional value. Knowing which foods to pick for a healthy diet can be hard as well. There are options to help. Non-clinical and clinical (medical) weight management options are ways to get help and learn more about nutrition and healthy eating.Meal replacement therapy
Many people like meal replacement products because they are convenient, they take away the need to think about food during the day. The meals are strictly portion controlled. Meals are usually designed to be filling, reducing hunger between meals. Furthermore, meal replacement diets are advantageous as the amount of calories in each portion has already been calculated. This makes it easier to keep energy intake down leading to greater success with weight loss.Medications for weight loss
Medication was one of the earliest interventions for obesity treatment. But what if it doesn’t work?Medical weight loss options such as medication can be used for weight loss. Examples of medication are oral or injection.
Medication is not just important in treating obesity, it also plays a crucial role in managing patients in post bariatric surgery. For some people, the health benefits may be worth the potential risks. Losing 5 to 10% of your weight is enough to lower your risk of obesity-related problems, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Medical weight loss isn’t an easy way out. You’ll still need to eat well and be active to lose weight and keep it off. However, it may help you lose more weight than you would on your own.
