Obesity Treatment​ & Diagnosis

Causes of Obesity

Obesity is a consequence of consuming more calories than your body can utilize. There are several reasons why you might consume more food than your body requires:

• Medications: Excessive consumption of medications, such as beta-blockers, steroids, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, etc. 
• Disability: Adults and children with physical and learning disabilities are at risk for developing obesity.  
• Eating habits: Excessive consumption of highly processed foods, high-sugar foods and beverages, and foods high in saturated fat.
• Genetics: Several studies have reported that certain genes, known as obesity-susceptibility genes, influence hunger in obese individuals.  
• Lack of exercise: Spending too much time on screens, such as watching TV, playing video games, or using a laptop or mobile device, reduces the amount of time you have for exercise.
• Sleep deprivation: Not getting seven hours of sleep has been the major causative factor behind the development of obesity 
• Stress: Stress increases the likelihood of consuming comfort foods that are high in fat and sugar, which your body stores as excess fat.
• Underlying medical conditions: Conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and metabolic syndrome might cause side effects, including weight gain. 

Obesity Diagnosis and Treatment​

Diagnosis for Obesity

During your visit, your doctor will take measurements of your height, weight, and waist circumference.  They might also perform body composition tests such as bioelectrical impedance analysis or a bone density test scan. The speed at which an electrical current flows through your body is used in this test to determine your body composition. The doctor will also discuss:-

• Medical History. Your doctor will try to understand your medical history, including the medications and your biological family’s health. 
• Weight History. Your experience with the weight management strategies may also be discussed
• Lifestyle. Your daily lifestyle, including your eating habits, how much and how well you sleep, and how many activities you perform in a day. 
• Mental well-being. Your mental health, including stress and other things, will be discussed. Excessively high levels of stress can lead to eating more. 

Treatment Options For Obesity​

1. Lifestyle Remedies

• Dietary changes. The DASH diet or the Mediterranean diet are two examples of scientifically supported eating regimens that your doctor may recommend. They can assist you in reaching your nutritional objectives.
• Include movement in your day. Exercise burns calories, and there are numerous methods to increase your level of activity.
• Mental health assistance. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), support groups, and counseling can all help in promoting constructive changes. Along with addressing any emotional or psychological issues that might be working against you, they can also assist you in managing stress.

2. Weight Loss Pills

The FDA has approved five medicines for long-term weight loss.

• Orlistat
• Phentermine-topiramate
• Naltrexone-bupropion
• Liraglutide
• Semaglutide

3. Weight Loss Surgeries

Surgical treatment options are recommended for people with class III obesity, or a BMI of 40 or above. Bariatric surgery is the most popular surgical procedure for weight loss. 

Bariatric surgery helps in controlling the amount of calories you can take in and absorb by altering your digestive system. These can also lessen the hunger signals that reach your brain from your digestive system. Bariatric procedures consist of:

1. Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass)
2. Sleeve Gastrectomy
3. Adjustable Gastric Banding (Lap-Band)
4. Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)

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