Why it’s time to tackle obesity

According to the official organisers of World Obesity Day, 1.9billion people around the world will be living with obesity by 2035. That’s 1 in 4 people – double what it was in 2010. So what’s causing this alarming increase in obesity? What are the implications of this rise? And what can we do about it?

What is obesity and how is it measured?

Obesity is a complex and chronic health condition caused by an excessive amount of body fat. A person is classed as obese if their body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher. However, another good indicator of obesity is measuring a person’s height to waist ratio. Having a waist circumference equal to more than half of your height (a waist-to-height ratio of 0.5 or greater) can indicate obesity.

What causes obesity?

Consuming too many calories and getting too little physical exercise can cause obesity. But for some people, genetics can also play a role. Certain health conditions such as hypothyroidism can also contribute, as can some medications.

How can obesity affect a person’s life?

Obesity can shorten a person’s lifespan by 3-10 years, depending on the severity. It can also have a huge effect on the individual’s quality of life, with issues such as breathlessness, joint and back pain, low energy levels, snoring and disturbed sleep having a negative impact on day-to-day living. It can also affect a person’s mental health, contributing to issues such as depression. What’s more, as well as affecting fertility, obesity can be a major contributing factor in serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer.

What’s causing the rise in obesity?

The rise in obesity rates in recent years is partly due to changes in diet. We now eat much more processed foods which are typically higher in fat, salt and sugar. We are also much less physically active. Many people now lead a more sedentary lifestyle, sitting for long periods of time and driving short distances instead of walking, for example.

Recommended ways to tackle obesity

If you’re ready to take action, here are some helpful suggestions:

• Keep a food diary: Be honest about how often and how much you are eating. The amount of calories you consume on a daily basis might surprise you.
• Don’t pile up your plate: Aim to reduce the number of calories you consume each day by cutting your portion sizes.
• Remember, what you eat matters: Make a conscious effort to choose healthy, nutritious foods such a fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, lean proteins and healthy fats, and less processed foods.
• Eat more mindfully: Try to break unhealthy habits such as snacking in front of the TV so you become more conscious of how and when you’re eating.
• Think before you drink: It’s not just what you eat, but what you drink that matters too. Cut down, or better yet, cut out alcoholic and sugary drinks and instead aim to drink around 2l of water per day.
• Move more: It’s important to get into the habit of exercising regularly. Walking and swimming are great ways to start if you’re looking for a low-impact activity to get you moving.
• Get a good night’s sleep: A lack of sleep can often lead to cravings for sugary and salty foods as the body looks for an energy boost to counter those feelings of fatigue. Avoid falling into that trap by ensuring you get around eight hours of quality sleep per night.

When you need extra help

The team at YourGP understand what a complex issue obesity is, and we know that losing weight can be challenging. But we also know there can be multiple life-changing benefits for people who bring their weight down from an obese level to within a healthy weight range. We’re here to help you do that in a safe, controlled and effective way.

One way we can do that is by prescribing a course of weight loss injections. First up, we’ll invite you in for a consultation to assess if this is the right option for you. Then, we’ll talk you through the specifics of how and when to use the injections, as well as all the potential side effects you need to look out for. We will also offer advice relating to lifestyle changes that will help to support your results. We’ll then start you off on the lowest dose to gauge how your body reacts, and increase the dosage if necessary, depending on your needs. Throughout the whole process, your health and wellbeing is our top priority.

Ready to make a change?

If you’re struggling with obesity and you’d like to speak to a health expert about positive lifestyle changes and potential treatment options, you can book an appointment through our simple online booking system, or you can email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 381 0322 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.