Study: 'Pharmaceutical treatments and bariatric surgery effective in treating obesity'
Have you tried exercising and dieting to lose weight, but that didn't work? A recent study suggests that pharmaceutical treatment and bariatric surgery are the best treatments for obesity.
Obesity is a global problem.
According to statistics released in 2020, 69% of South Africans are bordering on obesity.
The danger of obesity is that it increases one's risk for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, infertility, arthritis, and cancer.
There are many causes of obesity. The below are stated in healthline.com.
- Eating more calories than you burn in daily activity and exercise.
- Genetics, which can affect how your body processes food into energy and how fat is stored.
- Growing older, which can lead to less muscle mass and a slower metabolic rate, making it easier to gain weight.
- Not sleeping enough , which can lead to hormonal changes that make you feel hungrier and crave certain high calorie foods.
- Pregnancy, as weight gained during pregnancy may be difficult to lose and might eventually lead to obesity.
READ: The link between obesity and genes
Other things that can causes obesity include health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Cushing syndrome, hypothyroidism, and osteoarthritis.
How to diagnose obesity
Obesity can be diagnosed using the following methods; skinfold thickness tests, waist-to-hip comparisons, and screening tests such as ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRI scans.
Treatment for obesity
The common way most people try to shed weight is through a healthy diet and exercising.
However, a study has revealed that diet and exercise programmes are not often maintainable. The study found that most people find it difficult to maintain the diet and exercise, so while they may lose weight in the short-term, many often gain it back quickly.
It suggests that there needs to be more solutions to help people who are struggling with obesity. The study found that the most effective way for people to lose weight is through pharmaceutical treatments and bariatric surgery, rather than exercise programmes and calorie-controlled diets.
Some of the medications used to treat obesity include: bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), orlistat (Alli, Xenical) and phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), hydrogels, vagal nerve blockade, and gastric aspirate.
Procedures for weight-loss include: Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and Intragastrical balloon for weight loss.
Surgery includes: Adjustable gastric banding, Gastric bypass surgery, and Gastric sleeve.
Medical practitioners will first conduct a physical exam and advise based on your medical condition.
READ: UK to limit junk food ads to tackle child obesity
Disclaimer: Health-related information provided in this article is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems. It is always advisable to consult with your doctor on any health-related issues.
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