Obesity

Question 1

What is a healthy BMI?

Answer 1

18.5-24.9 kg/m2

Question 2

What is an overweight BMI?

Answer 2

> 30 kg/m2

Question 3

What is the step ladder for obesity treatment?

Answer 3

1. General advice of healthy weight and lifestyle
2. Diet and physical activity
3. Diet and physical activity; consider drugs
4. Diet and physical activity; consider drugs; consider surgery

Question 4

When can you give orlistat?

Answer 4

o BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2
o BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2 in the presence of other risk factors (T2DM, HTN, hypercholesterolaemia)
o Continue treatment if the patient has lost ≥5% of their initial body weight since starting treatment over 3 months

Question 5

Who is considered for bariatric surgery?

Answer 5

• BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2, or 30-40 kg/m2 and other significant disease (T2DM, HTN) that could be improved with weight loss
• All other options have been tried and not worked
• Person has been receiving intensive management
• Person is fit for anaesthesia and surgery
• Commits to long-term follow-ups