Obesity

Diagnosis of Obesity

A doctor can diagnose obesity. A medical doctor will perform a physical exam and recommend the following tests:

Assessment of Health History: Your doctor will review your weight history, efforts towards weight loss, physical activity, exercise habits, appetite control, and eating patterns. They will also check other conditions you may have had, medications taken, stress levels, and other health issues. The family's health history is also assessed.

General Physical Exam: It involves measuring height, assessing vital signs (body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure), monitoring the heart and lungs, and examining the abdomen.

Measuring BMI: A doctor will check your body mass index (BMI).

Measuring Waist Circumference: Fat is primarily stored around the waist, which increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Waist measurement (circumference) of over 35 inches (89 centimeters) among women and 40 inches (102 centimeters) among men are known to face more health risks as compared to individuals with smaller waist measurements.

Assessing Health Problems: A doctor will check other health issues, including high blood pressure, underactive thyroid, high cholesterol, liver problems, and diabetes. This is important for your doctor to develop a treatment that will work best for your condition.

Risks Factors of Obesity

Obesity can lead to many serious health disorders, including the following:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke, heart attack, and other complications due to high cholesterol levels
• Type 2 diabetes
• Certain types of cancer
• Asthma
• Kidney disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Gallbladder disease
• Sleep apnea
• GERD
• Hiatal hernia
• Heartburn

Treatment of Obesity

The primary goal of treatment for obesity is to reach and maintain a healthy weight. It improves overall health and reduces the overall risk of developing complications related to obesity.

A team of health professionals comprising behavioral counselors, dietitians, or an obesity specialist can help you alter eating and activity habits to reach the goal of a healthy weight.

An ideal weight-loss program will guide you to adopt healthy eating habits and increase physical activity. Here are some of the most common and effective treatment methods for obesity:

Non-Surgical Treatment Methods

Dietary Changes: This includes reducing the intake of calories and practicing healthier eating habits. Patients can choose to cut calories, make healthier food choices, and restrict certain foods (high-carbohydrate, sugar-sweetened beverages, or full-fat foods).

Exercise and Activity: It is essential to increase physical activity or exercise for obesity treatment. Patients are advised to get at least 150 minutes a week (of moderate-intensity physical activity).

Behavior Changes: Patients can benefit from a well-planned behavior modification program. The program is designed to help the doctor determine which factors, stresses, or circumstances may have contributed to obesity. It includes counseling with an experienced mental health professional and joining support groups.

Weight-Loss Medication: These are given to patients only under the supervision of a doctor in combination with proper diet, exercise, and behavioral changes. The medication is not a replacement for diet and exercise.

The most commonly used medications include:

• Phentermine-Topiramate (Qsymia)
• Bupropion-Naltrexone (Contrave)
• Orlistat (Alli, Xenical)
• Liraglutide (Saxenda)

Endoscopic Procedures for Weight Loss: These procedures do not require any incisions in the skin. Patients are put under anesthesia, after which flexible tubes and tools are inserted through the mouth and down the throat into the stomach. The two most common procedures include:

• Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
• Intragastric Balloon for Weight Loss

Surgical Methods

Weight-Loss Surgery

Commonly known as Bariatric Surgery, these surgical procedures help patients restrict the amount of food they can comfortably eat. The most common types of Bariatric Surgery include:

• Adjustable Gastric Banding
• Gastric Bypass Surgery
• Gastric Sleeve

Other Treatment Options

• Hydrogels: This is a prescription of edible capsules containing tiny particles that absorb water and enlarge in the stomach to help you feel full.
• Vagal Nerve Blockade: A trained doctor will implant a device under the abdomen of the skin to send intermittent electrical pulses to the abdominal vagus nerve. It will inform the brain when the stomach feels empty or full.
• Gastric Aspirate: It involves placing a tube into the stomach to drain a portion of the stomach contents after each meal.

Recovery from Obesity

The following strategies at home, apart from a formal treatment plan under medical supervision, can speed up the recovery process:

Learning about your Condition: Understanding obesity can help you know the root cause of obesity and things you can do about it. You can browse the internet, read reputable self-help books, and discuss your condition with an experienced doctor.

Set Realistic Goals: Do not try to lose too much weight too fast. Make small yet gradual changes in your diet.

Stick to your Treatment Plan: Make changes to your lifestyle and stick to it.

Get Support: Inform your family and friends about your weight loss goals. Get their support which will help you keep going.

Record your Activity: Keeping a food and activity log is important. This habit will help you remain accountable for your eating and exercise habits.

Speak to your Doctor: Let your doctor know about your weight concerns. This will help you maintain a healthy body weight.

• Symptoms and Causes