What’s Treatment for Obesity Like?

Excess fat cells in the body are the root cause of obesity, a chronic illness. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher is commonly used as a definition, despite the limits of this metric.1 In 2020, 41.9% of U.S. adults were overweight or obese.

Because it increases the risk of multiple serious medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, obesity is now recognized as a true disease.

Organization whose mission is to prevent disease. The realities of adult obesity.

 There is a plethora of treatment options available to assist with weight loss. Overweight patients can benefit from a variety of treatments, such as changes in diet and exercise habits, pharmaceuticals, surgical interventions, and more.

To help you decide which treatment is best for you, this article will discuss them all. 

Dietary Changes

The importance of dietary changes in facilitating weight loss cannot be overstated. When your caloric intake exceeds your energy expenditure, weight gain occurs. Your doctor may suggest making adjustments to your diet to lower the energy (calorie) density while still meeting your nutritional needs.3 If they feel that you would benefit from the services of a registered dietitian (RD), they may suggest one.

The Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension (DASH) diets, both of which emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein, are two examples of evidence-based approaches to dietary patterns that a healthcare physician may recommend.

Physical Activity

Altering your diet and engaging in increased physical activity can contribute to weight loss. Therefore, in addition to dietary adjustments, doctors typically advise patients to start an exercise routine.

Walking or jogging at a brisk pace counts as moderate-intensity activity, and adults need 150 to 300 minutes of it each week. Another option is to engage in vigorous activity for 75–150 minutes per week, whether it be running, weightlifting, soccer, or jumping rope. Activities of low and high intensity can be combined.

Behavioral Modifications

Lifestyle improvements and the rejection of weight-related stigmas can be made easier with the help of behavioral modifications and therapy. How much you eat, how often you eat, and the emotions you connect with food all play a role in your weight. Weight loss, healthy eating, and exercise are all targets of behavioral modification treatment.6

Weight Loss Medications

Certain drugs may be prescribed by a doctor to aid in the management of obesity. They are ineffective if not combined with other strategies like changing one's diet, getting more exercise, and changing one's attitude. Several of these, such as Xenical (orlistat), Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate), and Contrave (naltrexone-bupropion), are sold in the United States.

Hormonal Treatment

When you feel full, your body sends a signal to your brain via hormones secreted in your intestines. Increasing these levels with injections, in conjunction with other therapies, can decrease calorie intake and modify dietary preferences. In the United States, hormone therapies including Saxenda (liraglutide), Wegovy (semaglutide), and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are now approved.

Surgery

When alternative treatments for obesity have failed, a doctor may suggest surgery as an option. Obesity surgeries may cause calorie restriction by decreasing the quantity of food that can be digested at one sitting. Gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and gastric band operations, in addition to dietary and activity improvements, can result in significant weight loss.

Devices

with order to aid with weight loss, doctors will surgically implant a number of gadgets to limit food intake. Several FDA-approved devices in the United States function in a manner analogous to that of gastric bypass operations. As an alternative to more invasive surgical procedures, many people choose weight loss aids, and if their goals change, they may often be removed or the process reversed.