Eight of the top ten causes of death are related to obesity! Losing more than 5% of your weight can have unexpected health benefits

According to the "National Nutritional and Health Status Changes Survey" from 2017 to 2020, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults in my country is 50.3%. In other words, one in two adults is overweight or obese. According to the Ministry of Education's student health examination data for the 2015 school year, nearly a quarter of elementary and junior high school students suffer from obesity. Overweight and obesity pose serious health problems to people of all ages and deserve our attention.

Eight of the top ten causes of death are related to obesity

The World Health Organization points out that "obesity is a chronic disease". Obesity is not only an aesthetic problem, but also a medical problem that increases the risk of disease and health, such as heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and certain cancers. Among the top ten causes of death in my country, eight are related to obesity, which is also a risk factor for severe illness from the COVID-19 epidemic. Obesity not only increases the incidence of disease, but also increases mortality. Studies have shown that if the BMI exceeds 35, the mortality rate nearly doubles.

Therefore, weight loss has become a national movement. Weight loss can not only improve the quality of life, but also keep us away from diseases. Studies have shown that when obese people lose more than 5% of their body weight (such as 5 kg for an adult weighing 90 kg), it can bring many health benefits, and the more weight lost, the greater the benefits.

How to determine obesity?

The World Health Organization recommends using the Body Mass Index (BMI) to measure obesity levels. The calculation formula is weight (kg) divided by height (m) squared.

(Photo provided by Far Eastern Hospital)

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the recommended cut-off points for assessing body position using body mass index and waist circumference (2013 announcement)

If you want to lose weight, start by understanding the causes of obesity

Obesity is caused by calorie intake being greater than calorie expenditure, which in turn causes excessive fat to accumulate in the body, leading to obesity. In addition to genetics, obesogenic environment and lifestyle factors are the main causes of obesity. Other rare causes are endocrine diseases, certain medications, stress, emotions, and poor sleep. Studies have found that the less sleep people get, the more likely they are to be overweight or obese. The reason is that hormones released by the body during sleep help control appetite and increase energy expenditure.

Weight Control Program

 Adjusting your lifestyle, controlling your diet and exercising are crucial to overcoming obesity.

Dietary control principles should include adopting balanced, low-calorie, low-fat, low-sugar foods, choosing to eat original foods, refusing processed foods, and consuming high-quality protein. Eat more foods rich in dietary fiber and a moderate amount of fruits, avoid sugary drinks, develop the habit of drinking plenty of water, start by reducing 500-750 calories a day, and gradually achieve weight loss effects. When we consume 7,700 calories, we can lose 1 kg of weight. Daily calorie intake should not be too low. It is recommended to consume 1,200-1,600 calories per day.

 Exercise can not only increase muscle and reduce fat, but also increase basal metabolism, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, it can also relieve stress, relieve mild anxiety and depression, and improve sleep.

We can start with exercises to maintain basic physical fitness. According to the 333 principle of exercise, we should exercise three times a week, each time for at least 30 minutes, with a heart rate of at least 130 beats per minute. Then gradually increase the frequency of exercise. To achieve the goal of weight loss, it is recommended to do moderate-intensity exercise five to seven days a week and perform moderate or higher-intensity strength training at least two days a week.

The recommended weight loss target is set at 0.5 to 1 kg per week, and 2 to 4 kg per month.

Drug treatment

Timing of obesity drug treatment: Suitable for obese patients with BMI ≧30kg/m2 or BMI ≧27kg/m2 and at least one comorbidity (hypertension, type 2 diabetes or dyslipidemia, etc.). Currently, the drugs approved for obesity treatment in my country include RocheXan, Sanxianda and Kangxianfu. Its mechanism of action, efficacy and side effects are illustrated in Figure 1.

Table 1. Description of drugs for obesity treatment

(Photo provided by Far Eastern Hospital)

Medication is a powerful tool to assist weight loss treatment, but lifestyle adjustments and behavior modifications must still be made at the same time. Under the guidance of a professional team, medication can increase weight loss results and allow us to lose weight easily.

For those who are severely obese or morbidly obese, the effectiveness of medical treatment is relatively limited, and surgical assistance is required when necessary.

Conclusion

If you find that you have obesity problem, you can seek help from your medical team to find the most suitable weight loss method for you. When we can successfully lose weight using the right methods, we can not only prevent and improve chronic diseases and promote physical health, but also gain a sense of self-achievement and a new life due to the results of weight loss, and enjoy a high-quality healthy life.