Obesity is a growing public health problem. The right steps can help prevent obesity, but some people need professional support to reduce their weight.
Prevention: diet and exercise
A healthy, balanced diet and enough exercise are the most effective ways to prevent obesity. The basic rules of healthy eating include not skipping meals and avoiding fast food, fried food, sweets, and fizzy and sugary drinks as far as possible. Walking short distances and using the car and public transport less means you move more in daily life. Regular sleep and avoiding alcohol and smoking are also important.
Finding the cause of weight gain
To assess eating habits and metabolism, it helps when several specialists work together:
- nutritional advice from a dietitian,
- assessment by an endocrinologist (a specialist in hormone and metabolic disorders),
- psychological counselling,
- advice from a specialist in physical and rehabilitation medicine, to decide which types of exercise and sport suit you.
When may surgery be an option?
Surgery is the last option when other measures have not led to enough weight loss. People who want to lose weight for good, and for whom non-surgical measures are not enough, can see specialists in obesity and metabolic surgery.
Obesity surgery is usually considered with:
- a BMI (body mass index) of 40 kg/m² or more,
- a BMI of 35 kg/m² or more with related conditions,
- a BMI above 30 kg/m² with type 2 diabetes or severe metabolic problems.
Choosing the centre and the procedure
When choosing a surgical centre, look for a team that specialises in this field. The planned procedure should be explained to you clearly, and the method should be chosen for you as an individual.
Today the most common operation is the gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy). For people with diabetes whose blood sugar is not well controlled despite treatment, a bypass procedure such as the gastric bypass may be an option.
