From Lifestyle Shifts to Medical Help: 6 Effective Treatments for Obesity
Obesity has become a growing concern across Australia, and it’s affecting more people than ever. Currently, more than two out of every three adult citizens of the country are either overweight or obese and the figures are constantly rising.
Although most people attempt to do the normal things such as improving on their diet and exercising more it is evident that this is not enough to work on everyone. This is the reason why an increasing number of individuals are seeking alternative methods of treatment in order to control their weight and be healthier in the long run.
It is not all about the willpower to lose weight. It is usually a combination of heredity, the environment, lifestyle, and even diseases. This blog will take you through what obesity actually is, how it is diagnosed, the causes of the condition and the different treatments that are out there with evidence and actual results.
Obesity isn’t just about having a bit of extra weight, it’s when body fat reaches a level that starts to affect your health. Yes, we all need some fat to survive. It helps regulate temperature, provides energy, and supports cells. But when there’s too much, it begins to strain the body.
Back in 2017–18, health data estimated that about 12.5 million Australians aged 18 and over were either overweight or obese. That’s around two-thirds of the adult population.
And why is that concerning? Since being overweight predisposes one to a number of health related problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, joint pains and even sleep disorders. Research has always indicated that obesity is associated with increased risks of diseases and reduced life expectancy.
The most popular instrument to detect obesity is the so-called Body Mass Index (BMI). It is a basic formula that is computed with your weight and height.
This is how it is done:
BMI = weight (kg)/ height (m 2 )
To give an example, a person 165 cm tall and weighing 60 kg would have BMI computed as follows:
60/ (1.65 x 1.65) = 22
A BMI of above 30 is normally in the obesity range. And in that there are three levels:
BMI is a figure which compares your weight and your height. Others refer to it as the body mass index. It can tell whether you are of healthy weight.
Nonetheless, BMI is not perfect. A number of analysts claim that it simplifies. It is not a direct measurement of body fat and it fails to take into consideration muscle mass, age, sex, or ethnicity. BMI should not be the only thing you can rely on. It is better to consult a health professional and have him check your entire health and the proportions of your body.
Weight gain is not caused by one factor. It normally takes place when a number of events happen simultaneously. Others are more prone to increase weight due to their genes. Some become overweight due to the way they lead their life or due to some illnesses. It can also be as a result of feeling hungry or overeating. Let’s break down some of the most common causes:
Genetics: Genes play a role in determining the fat storage, frequency of hunger and rate at which we burn calories in our bodies. Research indicates that genetics influences the body weight of a person between 25 percent and 80 percent.
Unbalanced Diet: When you consume more than your body needs, you enter a calorie surplus. Such excess weight can be added. It usually occurs due to the availability of processed and sugary foods, which are convenient, do not take much time, and not everyone understands how healthy they are..
Lack of Movement: One of the major causes of obesity is a sedentary lifestyle. Unless you are active enough, you are not utilising the energy you are taking. Research has revealed that individuals who do not exercise are almost twice as likely to be obese.
Alcohol Intake: Alcohol is composed of empty calories. It provides your body with energy, yet it does not bring any nutrition. Your body also has to process alcohol before you can be able to burn fat, and so when you consume alcohol regularly or in large amounts, you are silently gaining weight.
Chronic Stress: Stress has numerous effects on our bodies. It brings emotional eating to many people: they resort to food to cope. Sleep is also affected by stress and this can disrupt the metabolism and hunger hormones and increase the chances of gaining weight.
Ageing: Your metabolism decreases as you age. This is to mean that the body requires less energy even when the same amount of food is consumed. Meanwhile, muscle mass tends to decrease and as such, you have a reduced number of calories burned.
Obesity cannot be fixed in a single way since it has different causes and problems in different individuals. However, it can be effectively controlled with the help of appropriate recommendations and individual approaches. Here are the six treatment options which have helped so many Australians regain their health and confidence?
To others, healthy weight is not always achieved by eating well and doing physical activities daily. Studies affirm that genetics may count as much as 80 percent. This is the reason as to why personalised care is relevant.
The reason is that it is due to the so-called set point theory. This concept states that our bodies possess a normal weight at which they tend to pick up even in the event that we go on diets or exercise. The person with a higher set point strives to maintain that weight by altering hormones, so we feel hungrier, or by decreasing metabolism.
In these cases, willpower alone isn’t going to cut it.
A word of caution:
A number of types of supplements, detox teas, and pills imported overseas guarantee rapid fat loss. The majority of them are uncontrolled and usually include dangerous components. Such products are hardly effective and may damage your health.
When it comes to long-term weight loss, it is better to consult a qualified Australian healthcare provider in case you are serious. In this manner, any therapy that you undergo is within the guidelines of Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and has medical evidence to offer.
How to start:
The most effective method of reducing weight is by consulting a doctor that specialises in weight loss. Wherever possible, seek the assistance of a health coach or any other trained person. A health coach will be able to follow your progress, keep you motivated and provide advice on the way.
Reduce your body fats and maintain your weight by altering your food. It is not a meal skipping plan or a trendy plan. It is concerned with the selection of foods that will feed your body.
When you are in a calorie deficit, you consume more energy than you consume: weight loss occurs. This does not imply that you have to starve. It entails eating foods that leave you full and balanced in small frequent meals.
A healthy eating plan typically includes:
Over time, this type of diet helps manage body weight and reduce fat accumulation. It also supports better energy, digestion, and long-term metabolic health.
What to expect:
Actual dietary change is not an overnight thing. It is a slow change that is sustained. Fad diets are quick fixes and are ineffective; they tend to be short term and even lead to a backlash whose effect is to bounce back.
When you drop some weight, it is possible that your metabolism slows down and you may find it difficult to continue with the process. That is why it is useful to monitor and provide medical feedback. They allow you to make changes where necessary and remain focused.
How to stick with it:
Build a meal routine you enjoy. As you like what you consume, you find it easy to continue the process. Meal replacement shakes can be a helpful short-term aid when used in a medically supervised plan with or without nutrition education and long-term objectives, in some people.
Exercise is a large part of an obesity treatment plan even when you are not trying to burn calories. It helps to boost the general health. Ascending the stairs, jogging with the dog or playing with children can be included as well. Anything that speeds up your heart rates and makes you active will help you lose weight and improve your physical and mental health.
When you are not accustomed to exercising, you can do it slowly. Intense exercises should not be entered into at a rush. Write down manageable and small objectives and track your performance. You may begin with 10 minutes of walks. Then grow slowly over time.
What to expect: Have patience. Sustainable fitness does not come immediately. You don’t begin where you think you should be, begin where you are. A fitness tracker or an exercise diary will help you record your progress and keep yourself motivated.
What to avoid: Doing fad workouts or 30-day challenge exercises which promise to provide miraculous results. They tend to result in burnout or injury. What you require is not a short term sprint but a long term habit.
Best approach: Find out how fit you are and consult a doctor or exercise physiologist on what you should do next without risk of injury. Set small goals and celebrate the small gains as opposed to perfection. You will also be in a better position to be consistent and it is consistency that brings results.
A weight loss program you develop with a physician or other health expert will make you slim and maintain the slimness. It is structured and it supports you. It typically involves goal setting, monitoring of your everyday life, dietary recommendations, and behaviour change coaching.
The plan is not universal. It suits your personal metabolism, your way of life and your health objectives.
What to expect:
Permanent, consistent change. The plan does not make you rush to reach a figure. It targets improved health and habits that you can maintain.
What to watch for:
Avoid any program that:
These might offer quick results but they rarely support long-term success.
Best approach:
Talk to your doctor or an accredited dietitian before you get in any program. Select one which is concerned about your health in the long run and assists you to create life skills rather than reducing figures on a scale.
Nowadays, there are a number of medical devices that can make an individual lose weight. These are gastric balloons, gastric emptying systems and electrical stimulation tools. These instruments are not supposed to be the primary remedy, yet they may be useful when applied in combination with lifestyle modifications.
What to expect: Physicians usually recommend the use of the devices when other ways have not worked and the case of obesity is severe. Nevertheless, they remain support tools rather than curative solutions. Physicians tend to request individuals to continue adopting positive diet and exercise habits as they continue to use the device.
What to be cautious of: When you apply a new weight-loss device, you can be unaware of the long-term outcomes. The side effects may be nausea, inflammation or slight discomforts. This is why you should discuss it with a trustful medical provider before using one.
Best approach: Consider weight-loss devices only in the hands of a trained doctor or a bariatric specialist. They will be able to ensure that it is healthy and will be able to take you through the procedure.
Bariatric surgery is a health operation which assists in the reduction of weight by altering the functions of your stomach. It reduces the size of your stomach such that you will be able to eat less that makes you feel full faster.
In Australia, the most common types of bariatric surgery include:
The procedures are normally prescribed to those who have long been suffering with severe obesity especially where other measures have failed to produce any results.
What to expect:
Bariatric surgery is not a short-term solution, a magic bullet. The weight loss that occurs following the surgery is dependent and many lose a lot of weight. The most important thing is to stick to a better life after the surgery in order to succeed in the long run. This can include taking a nutritious diet, supplements that should be taken daily and a weight control program that should be maintained.
There are also others who gain weight after months or years of surgery. As a result of this, there is a need for post care.
Things to be aware of:
It is as dangerous as any surgery. These are bleeding, infection or anaesthesia reactions. Each surgery has its risks and thus it is very important to clarify the issue with your doctor and ask him/her whether you are prepared to take the surgery.
How to approach it:
Surgery is the last option in the majority of the cases. Make a decision with the help of a doctor. They will look at your health and family history and tell you about the risks and benefits and how the surgery will be appropriate to your personal situation.
Attempt to determine whether minimally invasive options can be useful. You can think of a weight loss program with medical supervision, an exercise program or nutrition coaching. These are less risky and they are able to bear the burden of a number of people.
What’s the most effective way to treat obesity?
Not everyone has one solution. A more personalised plan is the most effective, as it includes a healthy diet, exercise, behavioural changes, and the assistance of medical professionals. The key is to come up with a routine that will suit your lifestyle and which you will be able to maintain in the long-term.
What’s the first step in treating obesity?
The vast majority of treatment processes start with lifestyle modification: eat better, get more exercise, and find a professional to support you such as a GP, a dietitian, or a coach. These are the initial steps which are the basis of everything further.
Are meal replacement shakes useful for weight loss?
Yes, when they are used in the right way. Shakes can assist in reducing the number of calories you consume at the same time providing your body with the required nutrients. Our diet programs and advice assist you to employ such tools as shakes safely and efficiently as the element of a larger strategy to enhance the eating habits.
Does Medicare cover weight loss surgery?
Yes, in certain cases. Bariatric surgery can be covered by the public health system, yet it is subject to eligibility criteria, and the wait list can be long. Using private health insurance can get you into surgery faster but it is possible to still have out-of-pocket expenses.
How soon will I notice a difference?
The outcomes are different according to your plan and your body. Changes can be noticed in weeks by some and it can take longer with others. The healthy rate is 0.5-1 kg a week, and the most important is not the speed, but the stability.
What should I do if my weight loss stalls?
In that case, you may need to change your routine by changing your meals or a new type of movement or visit a health professional. A small change can make a great difference.
Treatment of obesity does not only involve losing weight. It is also about becoming a healthier person, becoming more confident, and living a better life. At Longevity Clinic, we offer medical and lifestyle treatments that are backed by science and designed to work for real people with real challenges. Our team is ready to assist you whether you are only considering your options or you are willing to commit to a program.
We’ve developed a health, comprehensive six-step process that acts as your personal roadmap, towards your health goals.
There has never been a better time than right now. Dive into your health journey with Longevity clinic's.