Best Obesity Treatment in Mumbai - Weight Loss Treatment

Best Obesity Treatment in Mumbai

What is Obesity? Know the Symptoms, BMI, Causes, Treatment, Health Risks, and When to See a Doctor?

Excessive body fat, especially around your belly, can result in serious health consequences, including heart disease and some cancers. Worldwide, at least 1 in 8 people are obese, according to the World Health Organization, citing a Lancet study. In India, the trend is alarming, with the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data showing that nearly 1 in every 4 men or women is obese, emphasizing the urgent need to address this growing public health crisis. Experts warned that if the current trend continues, more than half of the world’s adults and a third of children and adolescents will be overweight or obese by 2050. If you’re struggling with obesity and are looking for expert care to get rid of those extra pounds, specialists at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, are here to help you every step of the way. We offer a range of surgical and non-surgical weight loss options tailored to your unique health needs and goals. 

Keep reading to learn more about obesity, including its signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment options, prevention, and how to tell if you have a healthy weight.

What is Obesity and How Do I Know If I’m Obese? 

Obesity is a chronic disease in which you have excessive body fat that can harm your health in many ways. 

You are considered obese if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. BMI is a screening tool that measures body fat based on your height and weight. 

Obesity is divided into three classes based on body mass index (BMI): 

• Class I obesity: BMI 30 to less than 35 kg/m2
• Class II obesity: BMI 35 to less than 40 kg/m2
• Class III obesity: BMI 40 kg/m2 and above

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Obesity?

Excess body fat, particularly around the waist (abdominal obesity), is the most noticeable sign of obesity. While obesity doesn’t cause specific symptoms, carrying excess weight can lead to other health problems, including:

• Shortness of breath
• Back and/or joint pains
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Skin issues – like stretch marks and infections in skin folds
• Sleep apnea
• Depression

When to see a doctor?

If you’re concerned about your weight or are experiencing any obesity-related health problems, consult a doctor so that they can evaluate your health risks and recommend an appropriate plan to help you lose or manage weight, and prevent obesity-related health consequences.

Is Obesity the Same as being Overweight?

No, obesity and overweight are not the same thing, although both conditions are characterized by carrying excess body fat, raising your risk for several health issues. Obesity is a more severe condition in which you’re carrying too much body fat, having a BMI of 30 or more.

Overweight means you are carrying more weight than what’s considered normal or healthy for your height. An adult with a BMI between 25 and 30 is considered overweight. If you’re overweight, it’s essential to take steps to lose weight and prevent progression to obesity.

How do I know if I am at a Healthy Weight?

Your BMI and waist circumference can tll whether your weight is in a healthy range. However, your doctor will also consider your overall health and risk factors to determine if you have a healthy weight. 

Generally, a BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 suggests your weight is within the normal range. But BMI cut-off points for Asians differ from the standard BMI classification due to higher health risks at lower BMIs – you may be at an increased risk of certain health problems if you have a BMI of 23 or more. 

Some health organizations generally define a normal waist size as 40 inches or less for men and 35 inches or less for women. For Indians, the recommended healthy waist size is less than 35.4 inches for men and less than 31.5 inches for women. A larger waist size has been linked to an increased risk of obesity-related health problems.

What Causes Obesity?

Obesity is often caused by consuming more calories than your body needs for physical activity, although it has many causes. Over time, these excess calories are stored as fat in your body, leading to unhealthy weight gain. Other factors that contribute to obesity include:

• Unhealthy dietary habits, such as eating high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and beverages
• Lack of physical activity
• Not getting enough good-quality sleep
• Genetics
• Growing older
• Stress
• Certain medications – like antidepressants, anti-seizure medicines, steroids, diabetes medicines, and beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure
• Some underlying health conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothyroidism, and osteoarthritis
• Social and economic issues
• Other factors such as pregnancy

Having one or more of these risk factors doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop obesity. You can counteract most risk factors through healthy lifestyle and behavior changes, thereby preventing obesity and its related health problems. 

What are the Complications of Obesity?

Obesity can lead to many potentially serious health problems, including

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Metabolic syndrome
• Osteoarthritis
• Gallstones
• Fatty liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Sleep apnea
• Asthma
• Some cancers, such as breast cancer and colorectal cancer
• Sexual health problems
• Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety

How do Doctors Diagnose and Treat Obesity?

To find out if you are overweight or obese, your doctor will calculate your BMI and measure your waist circumference. They may conduct a physical exam and review your medical history. Your doctor may also run some tests, including:

• Your blood pressure check
• Blood tests to check your cholesterol and glucose levels
• Liver and kidney function tests
• Thyroid function tests
• Heart tests, such as electrocardiograms (ECG/EKG)

If you’ve been diagnosed with obesity, you and your doctor can decide on a weight loss plan that works best for you. Your treatment plan will depend on your weight, overall health, lifestyle, and preferences. At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our specialists will craft a customized weight loss plan that meets your needs. The goal of treatment is to help you achieve and stay at a healthy weight.

For some people, making changes in their diet and increasing physical activity alone can help them lose or manage weight. However, some individuals may need weight loss medications or bariatric surgery along with lifestyle changes to treat obesity and improve health. 

Treatment options may include:

Lifestyle modifications - your obesity doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as adopting a balanced diet and increasing physical activity, to help you lose weight and avoid regaining it. 

Dietary changes may include:

• Making healthier food choices, focusing on fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean proteins (fish, poultry, beans, lentils), and healthy fats (nuts, seeds, olive oil)
• Consuming fewer calories and limiting salt and added sugar
• Restricting certain foods, such as high-carbs or full-fat foods
• Drinking plenty of water to help you feel full and prevent overeating

Exercise and physical activity:

Regular exercise and physical activity can help you burn calories and increase your metabolic rate. In addition to your exercise routine, it’s important to incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine, such as:

• Taking more walks
• Taking the stairs instead of using the elevators
• Playing active games with friends or family

Your care team will work with you to help you adopt lifelong healthy eating habits and find ways to move more each day.

Mental health support – counselling or support groups can help you with long-term changes by addressing emotional and psychological issues that may be hindering your weight loss goals. Strategies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy, can improve weight loss by specifically targeting the thoughts and behaviors linked to diet and exercise.

Weight loss medicines – your doctor may prescribe medicines as part of your weight loss treatment, when lifestyle changes alone are not enough to treat overweight and obesity.

Bariatric surgery – if you have severe obesity or are suffering from serious obesity-related health problems, your doctor may recommend bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, while ensuring that the procedure is right for you. 

At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our bariatric surgeons are highly skilled in performing several different procedures. They also specialise in minimally invasive procedures (robotic and laparoscopic techniques), which require small incisions, and offer faster recovery and less pain compared to traditional open surgery.

Conclusion

Obesity is an ongoing global pandemic that continues to worsen owing to a complex web of multiple factors, ranging from poor dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle to genetic and psychological elements such as stress. 

Obesity raises your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, liver disease, certain cancers, and many other health problems. The good news is, even a modest weight loss of 5-10% can significantly improve your health and quality of life. Following a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise can help you manage weight, prevent obesity, and promote overall health.

If you think you may be overweight or obese, talk to a doctor. At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our specialists will develop a customized treatment plan that includes lasting lifestyle changes to help you achieve sustainable weight loss and feel your best.