AN APPROACH TO TREATING OBESITY-Part 1

The Canadian Obesity Guidelines define obesity as follows:
Obesity is a prevalent, complex, progressive and relapsing chronic disease, characterized by abnormal or excessive body fat (adiposity), that impairs health.
Let me break down that definition:
Prevalent – common in the world; the World Health Organization says that 43% of adults are living with overweight and 16% living with obesity. It is estimated that 20 million South Africans are living with overweight or obesity.

Complex
– there are many causes (genetic, lifestyle, stress, etc) and obesity causes significant complications such as Type 2 diabetes sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis.

Progressive
– weight gain is more common as we age
Relapsing – this reflects the difficulty in keeping the weight off

Chronic
– life-long in nature

Disease
– not a normal state of health
It is important for any healthcare provider (HCP) treating people living with obesity (PWO) to establish what is important for that person. An accepted approach to do this is to follow the 5 A questions:

ASK
– ask permission to talk about obesity.

ASSESS
– by measuring height, weight, BMI, waist circumference a diagnosis of obesity can be made. The HCP will take a full history to establish what the drivers of obesity are: genetics, medical conditions, medications, lifestyle, psychological.

ADVISE
– the HCP will explain the complications of obesity and the benefits of weight loss.

AGREE
– here realistic goals are set and an approach on how to achieve this.

ASSIST
– a multidisciplinary approach is extremely important, and the dietician is the key member of the team. If needed, the biokineticist or exercise trainer, psychologist and practice nurse may be involved too.
**************************
In my experience, PWO are often looking for the answer to WHY? Why am I overweight, especially when they are actively trying to lose weight. It may help to recap the causes of obesity:

*****************************************************************************************************

NON-MODIFIABLE MODIFIABLE
Genetics Excess calories in diet
Age Low physical activity
Hormonal changes e.g. menopause Mental health, especially stress
Poor sleep, including sleep apnoea
Some chronic medications

****************************************************************************************************

Managing obesity is important as it is associated with significant health problems as it causes:
87% of type 2 diabetes
68% of hypertension
61% of endometrial cancer
45% of ischemic stroke
38% of ischemic heart disease
31% of kidney cancer
24% of osteoarthritis
17% of colorectal cancer
13% of postmenopausal breast cancer

In Part 2 I will cover the holistic approach to obesity treatment.

Services

OPENING HOURS

Monday – Thursday 8:00 – 17:00
Friday 8:00 – 16:00
Weekends Closed

(011) 896 2420

3 Albrecht Rd, Sunward Park, Boksburg, 1459

OFFICE LOCATIONS

Make An Appointment