Weight Loss Management

Importantly, we now understand this is not because of a lifestyle choice or a personal weakness. Scientists have discovered several genes, which predispose someone to obesity – including the FTO, PCSK1 and ENPP1 genes.

 

This finally explains why obesity often runs in families and why, for the majority of sufferers, diet and exercise are simply ineffective.

It’s time to recognise that obesity is a medical problem and should be treated without guilt or prejudice. Our doctors have a number of appetite regulation treatments through.

It is thought that the hunger-regulating part of the hypothalamus does not function correctly in people with obesity - it continues to stimulate hunger and food desire all the time, even when your body has plenty of energy reserves. Perhaps it is like the low-fuel warning light in a car constantly flickering on even though you’ve just filled the tank. This is frequently genetic and promotes both overeating and poor food choices, and over time leads to obesity.

Another important observation is that people who are constantly hungry often seem drawn toward foods that are rich in calories. Such foods are often high in sugar and fat, such as chocolate, fried foods, and sweets. Treatment is highly effective by using appetite control procedures such as either the gastric band or sleeve.

Psychologists believe that we are programmed from birth to be soothed by food - we have all seen the way a baby stops crying when put on the breast. Sometimes a serious or traumatic life event may trigger a person to revert back to using food to help feel better.

Of course we all know that this doesn't really work logically, and often we might actually feel worse about ourselves after an episode of comfort eating. However, emotions can be very powerful and at times control our actions.

Fortunately, emotional eating can be overcome. Patients can be treated with a combination of regular individual and group psychological counselling combined with physically limiting the amount of food that can be consumed during emotional episodes.

Whatever the reason for one's obesity, doctors all agree it must be treated because of the health risks associated with being dangerously overweight.

Data from Western Australia has revealed that obesity shortens average life expectancy by 4 years, whilst an American study has found that people aged 25–35 years who are severely obese are 12 times more likely to die early than those of a healthy weight.

The following are just some of the medical problems that are strongly associated with obesity: