5 hours ago
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While our bodies react in various ways due to numerous factors, one thing is for sure: gaining
excessive weight is not a good thing, as it can predispose one to having obesity and the health risks that come with it.
Dr. Margarita Victoria H. Galicia
Consultant, Endocrinology
Program Head of Asian Weight Management and Bariatric Center
Asian Hospital and Medical Center
Every body is different. Two individuals can eat the same amount of food but react differently.
One can easily gain weight, while nothing happens to the other. There are those who can lose weight with just a little effort, while it takes a lot longer for some to shed a single pound. While our bodies react in various ways due to numerous factors, one thing is for sure: gaining
excessive weight is not a good thing, as it can predispose one to having obesity and the health risks that come with it.
Obesity and health risks
There are many ways to define obesity and the most commonly used method is by computing for the body mass index (BMI), which is the weight (in kg) divided by the square of the height (in meters). For Asian adults, a BMI of 23 labels one as being overweight, while 25 and above
determines obesity.
In our country and around the world, there is an increasing trend in the number of people living with obesity, both for children and adults. Many personal factors affect our weight – genetic predisposition, certain medical conditions, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy food choices. Living in an obesogenic environment, where high calorie food is easily accessible and opportunities for more physical exercise are difficult to find, also plays a big role and can largely contribute to the growing trend. No matter the predisposing factor, obesity is a medical condition that needs to be addressed because it predisposes one to weight related health risks, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
A balancing act
Achieving healthy weight is a balancing act. The amount of calories we take in should be balanced by the amount that we burn through physical activity. When we take in more than what we use up, the excess calories get stored in our body as fat. Over time, this chronic excess not only causes an increase in weight, but may accumulate in organs or body tissues that are not meant to store fats, leading to metabolic conditions such as atherosclerosis, fatty liver, or diabetes.
How do we achieve this balance? Lifestyle change is the cornerstone of any weight loss treatment. Changing our mindset towards food and exercise is crucial and the journey towards a healthier weight should be seen as a lifestyle shift rather than a temporary fix. New eating and exercise habits should not only be incorporated in our daily lives but they should be something we will be able maintain and sustain.
When intervention is necessary
There are times when despite our best efforts, we are not able to achieve the weight loss we desire. Factors beyond our control, such as our body’s unique biology or certain medical conditions may predispose us to weight gain which may be difficult to get rid of despite following the prescribed diet and exercise. In these instances, medical management may be warranted.
Fortunately, there are medications and interventions that are proven safe and effective and are available in our local setting. At Asian Hospital’s Weight Management and Bariatric Center, we provide an individualized and comprehensive approach to achieving a healthy weight. A multidisciplinary team of experts, composed of endocrinologists, cardiologists, medical nutritionists, sleep specialists, gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, psychiatrists, physiatrists, and metabolic surgeons delve into understanding the factors affecting weight gain in order to effectively come up with a treatment plan that would work best for each patient. From determining metabolic conditions to providing nutritional assessment, assessing cardiac and mental health to supervised exercise program, or determining medical management to recommending surgical intervention, we have the experts you will need who can help you in your weight loss journey.
Achieving good health need not be difficult, if you find the right people helping you along the way.
If you would like to know more about how our medical professionals can help in your journey to better health, call us at our hotline 8-771-9000 or email [email protected]. You can also follow the social media pages of Asian Hospital and Medical Center.
