Today internal medicine clinic services are more focused on promoting a healthier lifestyle and good health than prescribing medication. However, the biggest concern these clinics face is the ever-increasing obesity rate that is contributing to the onset of a wide spectrum of diseases and disorders within the human population.
Obesity is a complex disease characterized by the excessive accumulation of fats in the body. While it used to be more of a cosmetic concern back in the days. Today healthcare providers consider it a much more serious and dreadful condition as it negatively alters almost all of the body’s physiological functions.
The lifestyle that we follow today, might seem idealistic but it has quite a few haunting effects in the longer run. Our sedentary routine and round-the-clock access to fast food have manifested themselves as a perpetual dilemma, that we know as obesity. What was once considered to be a risk factor for a galore of health conditions, is today termed as a chronic disease by American Medical Association. The obesity rate in America has spiked at a startling rate in the past two decades, as 93 million adults or 39% of the population suffers from it.
HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE/MEASURE OBESITY?
Physicians use Body Mass Index (BMI) to diagnose obesity in their patients. Body Mass Index is a ratio of a person’s body weight and height which states whether the patient is underweight, healthy, or overweight. A BMI under 18.5 is considered as underweight, whereas normal individuals have figures ranging between 18.5-24.9. In the case of overweight and obesity, BMI lies between 25.0-29.9 and 30.0 and higher, respectively. Even though it is not the most accurate approach to diagnose obesity, BMI gives a fair estimate of body fat.
WHAT CAUSES OBESITY? WHAT ARE ITS RISK FACTORS?
While obesity occurs when there is a greater intake of calories that exceeds the body’s capacity to burn it – be it only be metabolism or aided by physical activity – its causes are a combination of genetic, behavioral, and hormonal aspects.
Furthermore, obesity is usually caused by one or a combination of the following risk factors:
FAMILY HISTORY:
Genetics play an important role in determining how well the body converts food into energy, how the body regulates appetite, and how efficiently is the fat metabolized during exercise. While obesity may run in a family’s genetics, it is also unregulated eating activities that contribute to its onset.
LIFESTYLE PRACTICES:
The contribution of our lifestyle in the rapid rise in obesity is overwhelming and cannot be emphasize enough. Be it our unhealthy diet that is loaded with high calorie fat and little to no dietary fibers to lack of physical exertion, it is how we live our lives that have land us in this predicament. Furthermore, the frequent intake of liquid calories in terms of alcohol and soft drinks has also played a role in elevating statistics of obesity.
DISEASES AND OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS:
Certain medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, and tumors can cause overweight and obesity. In addition, genetic syndrome such as Prader-Willi, Bardet-Beidl, and Cohen is associate with the onset of the disease.
DRUGS AND MEDICATIONS:
Many classes of drugs are known to increase weight as their adverse effects. These medications include
- antipsychotics
- antidepressants
- antiepileptics
However, it is important not to cease the medication regime before consulting with the physician, even if you are looking forward to losing weight.
OTHER FACTORS:
Apart from the aforementioned causative agents, other factors also lead to gain in weight, such as pregnancy, insomnia, stress, and smoking cessation.
CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND IS IT SOMETHING TO WORRY ABOUT?
As if adult obesity rates weren’t staggering enough, childhood obesity also continues to take a toll on the country’s population. It is a complex health issue, that is characterize by increase weight and body mass index (BMI) in children. While it is conspicuous that being overweight at a young age will lead to obesity in adulthood, it also renders a child to many more complications. From medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, joint problems, and fatty liver diseases to behavioral and psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and low-fat esteem – these are just a glimpse of what obesity can do to a child.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE OBESITY? IS IT IMPORTANT TO SEE A DOCTOR?
Have you ever considered or given into the much-trending FAD diets or fitness regimes that trend on social media? Were you disappoint with its ultimate result? No matter how fascinating it might seem to opt for a diet or exercise routine to shed extra pounds, the truth is that very few people can achieve it without medical assistance. Since obesity is a complex disease, that affects various organ systems along the course of its progression, you need medical intervention to achieve visible, long-term results, such as:
MANAGEMENT OF CO-EXISTING DISEASES
You don’t know if being overweight has influenced any other organ system or physiological function as well. Furthermore, certain diets and exercise are also known to aggravate unknown, underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or asthma. Therefore, when you visit a doctor for the management of obesity, they run diagnostic. Or screening tests to have an insight into the body’s overall health, and any existing complications and create a plan for their simultaneous management.
REAL-TIME PROGRESS MONITORING
A physician takes into consideration your blood pressure and sugar levels, heart rate, oxygen rate, and percentage of body fat before they come up with the solution. Moreover, they also keep check of your progress and vitals to ensure whether you’re on the right track or not.
A LONG-TERM RESULT
When you incorporate medical assistance in your weight loss approach. You do not only get prominent results, but they are also there to stay for a longer time.
WHAT TYPE OF DOCTOR SHOULD I SEE FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
Several different types of specialists can help you lose weight,
GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN
An internist will take into consideration your vitals, body fat percentage, alongside other factors such as family medical history, and lifestyle practices to derive a plan that is tailor-made for your weight loss goal.
DIETITIANS AND NUTRITIONISTS
These specialists are train in health and weight management to assist with non-medical options. Such as dietary changes that facilitate effective weight loss.
BARIATRIC PHYSICIAN
Bariatric physicians are skill in helping people maintain a healthy weight. Their education and practical training include medical treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases and conditions. Such physicians provide a multi-dimensional strategy and dietary advice for adequate weight loss. Furthermore, they also create tailor-made exercise plans. Following the patient’s health status along with behavioral modification therapy and sustainable lifestyle reformations. A bariatric physician aims to provide the perfect weight loss plan that helps people get back on track.
Also Read: Prenatal Care Class For Pregnant Women To Ease Their Delivery Pain.
PHYSIATRISTS
In the case of morbidly obese patients that weigh over 400 pounds, physiatrists provide rehabilitation treatment. They aim to take care of such patients and help them with their limited mobility due to being overweight.
BOTTOM LINE
Seeking medical assistance for weight loss is not only beneficial for the individual. But also for the society as it would promote a rather rapid decrease in obesity within the population.
