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Obesity is often misunderstood, surrounded by stigma at school, work, and even within healthcare settings. Rethinking obesity care involves viewing weight loss as just one of several outcomes of a holistic, personalised approach to health. This can enable people living with obesity to lead a life that focuses on taking care of their health, not just weight loss.
Obesity is not just about weight gain. Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease that can put individuals at risk of more than 200 physiological, physical and mental health complications such as High blood pressure, joint pain and depression to name a few. Therefore, good obesity care should not just be about weight loss. In addition to weight loss, good obesity care can also help to treat the health complications associated with obesity.
An increased risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol are just some examples of the physiological complications related to obesity. Elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels can increase a person’s risk of developing heart disease. Obesity care puts a focus on bringing blood pressure and cholesterol back down to normal levels, can help to lower the risk factors associated with heart disease.
Impaired joint health is an example of a physical health complication that can be caused by obesity. Obesity can increase the risk of osteoarthritis, a condition in which the cartilage between your bones breaks down. This may lead to stiff and sore joints which can affect mobility. As previously established, good obesity care goes beyond weight loss, and looks to reduce the amount of force or stress placed on a joint. This may help to reduce a person living with obesity’s risk of osteoarthritis, thereby improving their overall health.
Mental health is often negatively impacted by obesity-related stigma, leading to conditions such as depression and anxiety. In fact, one study reported that adolescents living with obesity have a 40% increased risk of developing depression. Mental health issues are sometimes ignored because they are mostly invisible. However, holistic obesity care goes beyond the physical implications of obesity, and puts a spotlight on mental health and wellbeing, helping to support obesity management.
Rather than only focusing on just weight loss targets, good obesity care monitors improvements to health such as sleep quality, improved mood, and self-esteem which can be more motivating benchmarks of progress. Recognising and celebrating these milestones may help make the journey toward better health more achievable. By following this holistic approach to health, good obesity care can help people living with obesity to lead a life that not only supports achieve sustainable weight loss but also improves the health risks associated with obesity.
Finding a good obesity care plan often involves a collaborative effort with a healthcare team. This can include doctors, nurses, dietitians and psychologists. Together, they can help set a realistic weight management plan based on health goals. Some evidence-based treatments that can help people living with obesity to proactively manage their health include:
By providing the right tools, support, and guidance, good obesity care can help people with obesity improve the physiological, physical and mental health complications associated with obesity. Reframing obesity care as more than just weight loss in the eyes of people living with obesity, healthcare professionals, and society at large is a step toward people living with obesity receiving the care they deserve, without bias or stigma.
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