Obesity and Weight Management

Obesity refers to a chronic complex condition that is characterized by an accumulation of excess fats in the body, which may compromise health. Obesity develops when calorie consumption exceeds the calories burnt by the body, and thus, it leads to weight gain. Obesity originates from the interaction of different genetic, environmental, behavioral, and metabolic factors.
Obesity is associated with a high risk of developing other diseases, such as diabetes,  cardiovascular diseases & hypertension, cancers of certain types, and musculoskeletal disorders. In this instance, early diagnosis and intervention could prevent complications and improve the general health of the individual.
A majority of associated complications of obesity walk hand in hand with diseases such as diabetes, and a full package of care is a must. Our team at Marengo Asia Hospitals comprises highly experienced diabetologists who specialize in managing the intricate relationship between obesity and diabetes. With personalized care and cutting-edge treatments, our specialists ensure a holistic approach toward better health and well-being.

What are the Complications of Obesity?

Obesity greatly impacts your body, causing a number of health complications. Its effect will be on the majority of the body systems directly and indirectly and can mostly lead to chronic diseases. Some of the complications of obesity include:

Metabolic Effects

The excess calorie intake gets deposited in the body as fats. If the accumulation of fats exceeds the normal, it causes the growth and activation of the fat cells to release proinflammatory substances. This chronic inflammation may cause disruption in the usual activities within your body, such as the regulation of insulin action, which leads to insulin resistance. It raises your risk for:

• Metabolic Syndrome: It is a cluster condition, comprising hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension, which increases the risk for serious diseases.
• Cardiovascular Diseases: It consists of coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, and congestive heart failure.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes due to disturbed insulin function.
• Fatty Liver Disease: Excess fat may infiltrate the liver and cause inflammation, scarring, and chronic damage to the liver.
• Gallstones: Elevated cholesterol levels increase the possibility of gallstones and problems with the gallbladder.
• Kidney Disease: Diabetes and high blood pressure, often obese-related, contribute to chronic kidney disease.

Direct Physical Effects

Excess body fat puts extra strain on the different systems of the human body and leads to conditions like:

• Respiratory Issues: Obese people generally compress certain organs in the lungs, putting them into problems like sleep apnea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome.
• Musculoskeletal Disorders:  More weight put on a system in excess tends to strain joints and muscles, resulting in conditions such as arthritis and chronic back pains besides posing mobility problems.

Increased Disease Risk

Obesity has been linked to an increased risk of serious health issues, which include:

• Certain Cancers: Obesity has been linked to some cancers that include; breast, colorectal, uterine, and pancreatic cancer.
• Cognitive Decline: Obesity increases the risk for cognitive conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia.
• Mental Health Disorders: Obesity has been known to be related to depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.

What Are The Various Tests Performed By Diabetologists To Diagnose Obesity?

Diabetologists perform different tests and evaluations to determine obesity, diagnose causes, and thereby tailor planning for treatment accordingly. Some of the tests include the following:

1. Detailed Health History

Most often, the first step begins with a broad review of the patient's health history. This includes discussion on:

• Past and present weight trends.
• Previous efforts to control weights and outcomes.
• Daily eating habits, food preferences, and challenges in appetite control.
• Physical activity, exercise, and fitness.
• Present medications and how they may be affecting your weight.
• Stress levels, sleep patterns, and other lifestyle conditions.
• Family history of diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.

2. Physical Examination

A proper physical examination will be conducted to review the overall health. This should include taking height and weight measurements for the determination of weight status, examination of vital signs including heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature; and also palpation for abnormalities in the heart, lungs, and abdomen. Through this, health conditions that are causing or are contributing to obesity, will then be diagnosed.

3. Body Mass Index (BMI) Measurement

BMI is a widely used tool for classifying weight status, calculated using height and weight, and determines if a person is underweight or overweight or falls into the normal weight, overweight, or obese category. A BMI of 30 or above confirms obesity, and increases in value are associated with increased risks to health. Regular BMI checks help monitor progress and guide treatment plans.

4. Waist Circumference Measurement

Measurement of the circumference of the waist gives a good idea of fat distribution. Excess abdominal fat is highly associated with increased risks of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Women having a waist measurement of over 35 inches or 89 cm and men of over 40 inches or 102 cm are at increased risk for these diseases. It enhances the use of BMI, thereby offering more layers of risk.

5. Blood Tests and Health Screenings

Blood tests identify or eliminate obesity-related health complications. For example, blood glucose tests diagnose diabetes or prediabetes, while lipid profile tests measure cholesterol and triglyceride levels as a method of assessing cardiovascular risk. Thyroid function tests detect underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism, which often leads to weight gain; and liver function tests look for conditions such as fatty liver disease. All these screenings provide an in-depth, comprehensive view of overall metabolic health.

6. Genetic Testing

Genetic testing is also sometimes conducted to ascertain whether inherited traits are the underlying causes of obesity. Certain genetic markers affect either the appetite, metabolism, or storage of fats. The identification of such markers enables diabetologists to come up with more specific and effective treatments. This becomes really helpful in people who remain obese even after following standard lifestyle modification programs.

7. Insulin Resistance Testing

Insulin resistance is the condition whereby the body fails to respond to insulin properly. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are closely associated with this problem. Some tests used to analyze the regulation of blood sugar in the body include fasting levels of insulin and glucose tolerance tests. Recognition of insulin resistance allows timely interventions in metabolic health and stops complications.

8. Body Composition Analysis (BCA)

Body Composition Analysis is an advanced body composition measurement tool used to measure the detailed breakdown of a person's body, including fat mass, lean muscle mass, and water content. Unlike the BMI, which only considers weight and height, BCA measures the exact distribution and proportion of fat and muscle throughout your body.
Such information is important for the development of an individualized treatment plan, primarily in individuals with obesity, since it can separate fat loss from muscle loss when trying to lose weight. BCA can allow providers to target the loss of excess fat and retention of lean muscle mass to maximize the best overall health outcomes.

9. Other Diagnostic Imaging

In some instances, imaging evaluations, including ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs may be conducted to check for fat distribution or the presence of complications like fatty liver or cardiovascular abnormalities. These tests are helpful whenever structural changes in organs or tissues have occurred due to obesity.
A doctor may also order certain tests to help diagnose obesity-related health risks. These may include:

• liver function tests
• diabetes screening
• thyroid tests
• heart tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

Comprehensive Obesity Management at Marengo Asia Hospitals

At Marengo Asia Hospitals, our strategy is sustainable weight loss and the prevention of resulting health conditions.

Lifestyle Modifications:

At Marengo Asia Hospitals, we offer personalized lifestyle changes to be followed that will ensure sustainable weight loss. The medical professional team works closely with each patient in determining a personalized plan to suit the individual needs. Here's how we approach weight management:

Dietary Counseling/Nutritional Counseling

Our professional nutritionists or dieticians will provide each client with an individually developed meal plan, which highlights low-calorie nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains while eliminating processed foods and sugar. We suggest tried and true diets such as the Mediterranean Diet and DASH Diet, which rely on balanced, healthy eating rather than good/bad rules. These plans help to facilitate patients reaching their nutrition goals and retain weight loss over time.

Exercise Programs

We design custom exercise routines for each patient that match the individual's fitness levels. Whether it's aerobic exercises, strength training, or workouts to improve flexibility, the bottom line is to make physical activity enjoyable and sustainable. Regular activity helps burn calories, improve cardiovascular health, and increase metabolism, which is key to successful weight loss.
Weight Loss Strategies
Loss of weight is one of the fundamental interventions at Marengo Asia Hospitals for managing and preventing diabetes, heart conditions, and knee pain. Weight loss increases insulin sensitivity and reduces dependence on medication, especially in the initial phases of diabetes.
Our obesity management programs are for both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, including efficient, evidence-based therapeutic interventions from a specialized team. Obesity management programs help patients lose weight on a safe and sustainable basis, which improves overall health and reduces obesity-related risks.

Medications:

When the above methods have proven unsuccessful, a doctor may put a patient on medications that form part of the full treatment package. The FDA has approved a number of short-term medications for use up to 12 weeks to aid weight loss. Some of the common medicines used are:

• Phentermine/Topiramate: This is a combination of two drugs that work together, suppress appetite, and help a person feel full in order to make it easier for them to adhere to a low-calorie diet.
• Naltrexone/Bupropion: This combination drug works on the brain's hunger signals as well as its reward pathways to help curb the desires and addiction to food.
• Liraglutide: It is a medicine that mimics a hormone that modulates hunger. This hormone helps reduce the number of calories consumed in the body.
• Semaglutide:  Helps manage hunger and improves the insulin sensitivity level while facilitating weight loss and lowering one's blood sugar.
• Orlistat : This medication blocks the absorption of some dietary fat in the body through the digestive system, thus reducing calorie intake.
• Tirzepatide: this is the newest drug for obesity management which is a weekly subcutaneous injection. It helps in control of diabetes as well as promotes weight loss.

Surgical Interventions:

This approach is normally applied only if the non-invasive treatments such as changes in lifestyles and medication fail to realize optimum weight loss. Patients who are severely obese and those with severe obesity associated with other health complications may require surgical interventions.
Our diabetologists at Marengo Asia Hospitals coordinate with bariatric surgeons who determine the need for surgery and are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the best outcomes for patients.

• Bariatric Surgery: For morbid obesity, surgical interventions such as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, or adjustable gastric banding can bring fast, effective weight loss and alleviate other health problems.

Cutting-Edge Technologies:

Metabolic Monitoring Devices:
At Marengo Asia Hospitals, we also employ the latest technologies to assist in weight management and metabolic health. The devices for metabolic monitoring help in keeping a patient's levels of activity, calorie consumption, and metabolic rate under close observation, therefore providing data that can support a treatment plan and fine-tune the best strategy for losing weight.
The wearable devices and applications record all the daily physical activities that patients are supposed to perform. These tools facilitate the continuous recording of calorie consumption and therefore promote healthy eating habits.