Obesity counselling

Question 1

obesity sizes

Answer 1

BMI>=25

waist>102 cm men >88 women

Question 2

benefits losing weight

Answer 2

feel better // more energy // self-esteem

if obese & reduce 10% then:
reduced risk DM, HTN, stroke, heart disease, cancer etc

chance of dying near future reduced by 20%

Question 3

causes of obesity

Answer 3

calories in > calories out

caveman theory

alcohol

sedentary lifestyle

inherited/cultural: biologic (genes) or social (bad eating habits)

part of other disease (cushing’s, hypothyroidism)

Question 4

how to lose weight (well isn’t that the question of the century)

Answer 4

Motivation is crucial

Monitor current food intake: keep a food diary (dietician can calculate calories)

Eat a healthy balanced diet: 5 a day, mostly starch-based, little fat, eat fish, avoid processed food

Cut back on alcohol

Do at least 60-90 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days a week

Be realistic: losing 5 kg is good, 10 kg is excellent

Lose weight gradually: 1⁄2-1 kg per week. Gets harder as time goes on.

Address depression or other mental health problems. Counselling may help

Special diets usually unhelpful. Need to change eating habits for good.

Medical treatments, e.g. Olrlistat (3 months), but you still need to change your lifestyle

Surgery is an option if you are very obese. Results are usually good. But risks involved.

Local support group – e.g. Weightwatchers, Fat Fighters etc.

Important to maintain healthy lifestyle to keep the weight from coming back