Body mass index is used to define obesity and categorize the severity. The BMI is a statistical measurement calculated by the following formula:

BMI = Weight (in Kilograms) / Height (in m.) X Height (in m.)

If (BMI) is between 25 and 29.9, you are considered overweight. If your BMI is 30 or over, you are considered obese.

Those people who are morbidly obese are at a greater risk of illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gallstones, osteoarthritis, heart disease, infertility and cancer. Morbid obesity is a state of severe obesity and is defined by the following condition

If a person has a BMI above 37.5 with or without associated illness or BMI above 32.5 with diseases like diabetes, hypertension are considered to be morbidly obese.

What is Obesity?

An obese person has accumulated so much body fat that it might have a negative effect on their health. If a person's body weight is at least 20% higher than it should be, he or she is considered obese. Obesity can in turn lead to complications like Diabetes, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea & Osteoarthritis.

Is there a link between Obesity and Diabetes?

Of the people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, about 80 to 90% are also diagnosed as obese. This fact provides an interesting clue to the link between diabetes and obesity.

Being overweight can cause your body to become resistant to insulin. If you already have diabetes, this means you will need to take even more insulin to get sugar into your cells. And if you do not have diabetes, the prolonged effects of the insulin resistance can eventually cause you to develop the disease

Indians are genetically susceptible to weight accumulation, especially around the waist.

The traditional approach to treat TYPE 2 DM (Diabetes Mellitus) has been step wise introduction of lifestyle changes with or without oral medications, saving the insulin therapy for last. Treatment should focus equally on remission of both diabetes and obesity and needs to be widely understood. In the light of escalating global diabetes crisis, the need of the hour is to identify interventions that provide a long-term metabolic outcome (obesity and associated diseases remission).

There are several methods for treating obesity, such as lifestyle changes encompassing behaviour modification, physical activity, diet modification and medical management. It has been seen that the sustained weight loss is achieved by only 10% of the population.

First and foremost, weight-loss starts with lifestyle changes: diet and exercise. The first step is to talk to your healthcare provider.

The various treatment options available for obesity are as follows:

Medical Treatment for Obesity

Medical treatments aim to control weight through lifestyle changes, medications, or non-invasive procedures. These include:

Surgical Treatment for Obesity

When medical treatments are not sufficient, surgical options may be considered. These are typically for individuals with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with obesity-related conditions). Common surgical treatments include:

If BMI >23.5, certain lifestyle modifications, changes in diet, increase in physical activity, and practicing healthy eating habits can reduce obesity. They will help choose the diet that is most appropriate. The diet choices are usually determined by the existing medical problems among other factors and should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Both calorie reduction diets and Low carbohydrate diets work well. But the right choice is made by discussing with your doctor based on your health conditions.

To attain and maintain any amount of weight-loss, exercise is mandatory. Generally, an average of at least one hour, five days a week is needed. But this again should be monitored by your healthcare provider to assure safe exercise practices.

If BMI > 27.5 with co-morbidities or >30 with or without co-morbidities, pharmacotherapy with weight loss drugs is recommended. Close medical monitoring is required while taking a prescribed weight-loss medications.

To attain and maintain any amount of weight-loss, exercise is mandatory. Generally, an average of at least one hour, five days a week is needed. But this again should be monitored by your healthcare provider to assure safe exercise practices.

If BMI >32.5 with co-morbidities or >37.5 with or without co-morbidities, bariatric surgery is the right choice of treatment. Weight loss surgery for obesity may be considered if other methods to lose weight have not worked.

HOW MUCH WEIGHT LOSS IS REQUIRED?

When thinking about weight-loss, one often has an "ideal" body weight in mind or an ultimate weight-loss goal. It is quite common for people to think that unless they lose dozens of KILOGRAMS, they will not be any healthier.

This is a misconception. Studies have shown that health benefits resulting from weight-loss are evident with a weight reduction as low as 5-10 percent. This means that an individual that weighs 100KG will benefit greatly from losing 10 KG.

There's scientific evidence that many obesity-related conditions improve with a 5-10 percent weight-loss. It ultimately lead to incredibly significant benefits including a lesser chance of having a heart attack or stroke.

At Dr. KMH, we take pride in being recognized as the best obesity hospital in Chennai, offering state-of-the-art facilities and a comprehensive approach to obesity treatment. With a dedicated team of experts and advanced medical technology, we provide personalized care plans tailored to each patient's needs. Located on Pallikaranai Radial Road, our hospital is home to the best obesity doctor, known for delivering successful weight-loss solutions through both medical and surgical interventions. Whether it's advanced bariatric surgery or holistic weight management programs, Dr. KMH ensures a path to healthier living for all our patients.