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.
WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS
- 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.
- We can assist you in determining a target weight that fits your aspirations.
Factors that contribute to Successful weight loss
We can show you how your food behaviour and food choices have significant metabolic and hormonal effects that determine how you achieve satiety or fullness. We 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. We 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, we 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
Not TGA approved for weight loss management (Often used off label)
- Topiramate
- Metformin
.
Can Weight Loss Medications Help?
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.
- As experienced GPs and weight loss doctors we can guide you through the minefield and can prescribe medications in a safe and supervised setting.
- At Elina Medical Weight Loss clinic we only use evidence based therapies with the backing of good research for your protection.
We 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.
We can provide information about the surgical options, as well as referral and follow up care.