The Evidence

THE SCIENCE OF OBESITY MANAGEMENT

  • Obesity is a major public health problem and the rates have been steadily increasing over the last 50 years
  • In 2011-12, 62.8% of Australians aged 18 years and over were overweight or obese, comprised of 35.3% overweight and 27.5% obese.
  •  Almost 2 in 3 Australian adults (63%) are overweight or obese.
Losing weight sounds like a simple process of eating less and exercising more. However almost all people regain any weight they lose. Keeping weight off is so difficult that it is important to not only lose weight but plan on how to keep weight off. The most successful weight loss programs are those that educate and empower you to understand the internal and external processes that govern weight control.

WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS

The right program for you may be wrong for somebody else. Each of us have unique genetic profiles, metabolic variations , behaviours and life circumstances that make a one size fits all program ineffective.
  •  BMI (Body Mass Index) calculators are a useful first step.
  •  A person with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight.
  •  A person with a BMI of 30 or greater is considered to be obese.
  •  A waist circumference greater than 88 cm in women and 102 cm in men increases the risk of obesity-related complications, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Determining a weight loss goal

  •  Even a 10% loss of weight results in significant metabolic benefits
  • Losing just 5% of your body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes by 50%
  •  It is important to determine a defendable weight goal.
  • It is important to preserve muscle mass while losing weight. Your ideal adjusted body weight is a useful guide.
  •  If you have diabetes, Fatty liver, Polycystic ovary, sleep apnoea then it is important to pick a target weight that has the most metabolic benefits to you.
  •  Your doctor can assist you in determining a target weight that fits your aspirations.

Factors that contribute to Successful weight loss

Your doctor can show you how your food behaviour and food choices have significant metabolic and hormonal effects that determine how you achieve satiety or fullness. They can show you how losing weight while hungry actively sabotages your attempt to lose weight. Losing weight by sheer will power works, however it is not possible for you use will power indefinitely to suppress and counteract your biological imperative to defend against weight loss.

CHOOSING A DIET OR NEW EATING PLAN

To lose weight you need to burn more calories than you consume. Every diet plan works on this principal. However, your biology and body weight regulation systems will attempt to to defend any attempt you make, thus causing the almost 95% weight regain rate after any program. It is important your choose a weight loss program that allows you to lose weight without triggering your defences. Uncontrolled hunger is a sure path to failure. Your doctor can help you choose the diet that works for you using the best scientific evidence available.

WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATIONS

Weight loss medications should be considered as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention in patients with a BMI >30 or BMI >27 with obesity related medical conditions.

There are a number of medications now available to assist in weight management. The use of these medications requires a complex assessment of the risks and side effects contrasted with the benefits of losing and maintaining weight. Medicines work best when combined with diet and exercise programs with close clinical monitoring and supervision.

At Elina medical weight loss, your doctor can provide detailed information on the medicines currently available and their success rate.

The following drugs are available for prescription in Australia and may be useful.

TGA Approved for use in weight management 

 

 

  • Saxenda (liraglutide)
  • Phentermine (Duromine)
  • Orlistat (Xenical)
  • Contrave
  • Semaglutide (Wegovy)
  • (Tirzepatide is currently not approved)

 

Can Weight Loss Medications Help?
Weight loss medications are an adjunct to diet and behavioural programs and may help with rapid weight loss programs.
They wont lose the weight for you but they can certainly make the process much easier.
 
Watch the Video and chat to us about the various medications available in Australia that may be suitable for you.

Weight Loss Supplements

Have you been considering using supplements, herbs or medications for weight loss? Losing weight can be frustrating and finding accurate, relevant information can be incredibly difficult. Sorting out the scams, fakes and untested from the researched and reliable is difficult.

  • Experienced GPs and weight loss doctors consulting in various locations around Melbourne  can guide you through the minefield and can prescribe medications in a safe and supervised setting.
  •  At Elina Medical Weight Loss clinic the doctors only use evidence based therapies with the backing of good research for your protection.

They don’t recommend unproven therapy such as-

– Dietary Supplements (Chitosan and wheat dextrin, Ephedra, Bitter orange) Or proven failed therapy such as

– Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) – Several studies show this to be not more useful than placebo.

WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY

Bariatric surgery should be considered for patients with a BMI >40 or with a BMI >35 with obesity related diseases

Surgery is probably the most reliable way to lose weight. However, due to its inherent risks and cost, it is reserved for those who have severe obesity or those who have failed all other measures to lose and maintain target weight.

Your doctor can provide information about the surgical options, as well as referral and follow up care.

 

At Elina Medical Weight Loss Clinic the doctors work with you to develop a
weight loss program that is tailored to your specific health needs and preferences.

Book online today or ring to arrange an introduction and assessment  appointment.

 
 

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