Obesity is now recognised as a chronic disease that is complex and multifactorial. This means it is influenced by a variety of factors including genetics, environment, metabolism, and behavior. At LMC, we offer holistic weight management programs that integrate medical and health coaching aspects to provide a well-rounded approach to weight loss and management.
What is obesity?
Obesity is a medical condition characterised by excess body fat that has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health. It is commonly defined by the Health Promotion Board as having a body mass index (BMI)* of:
- 23-27.4 (moderate risk)
- Above 27.5 (high risk)
*Please note that because Asians have a higher percentage of body fat, with corresponding higher prevalence of Type 2 DM and cardiovascular risk factors as compared to Caucasians at the same age, sex, and BMI, the Asian BMI cut off point is lower.
These include heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure
Diabetes can lead to health complications like nerve damage, kidney damage and eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma)
Obesity increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including breast, colon, and prostate cancer
These include sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea and asthma
Being overweight can put extra strain on the joints, leading to joint pain and an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis.
Obesity can have a negative impact on mental health and well-being, including depression and anxiety.
What is the most effective treatment for weight loss?
There is no single most effective treatment for weight loss that works for everyone, as different people may have different underlying causes of weight gain and different preferences for weight loss strategies.
Obesity has often been viewed as a result of a simple lack of self-discipline and willpower to “eat less and move more” – but obesity is much more complex than that.
Understanding the various root causes of obesity in the individual will allow interventions to be tailored to address aggravating factors. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and management necessitates a multi-level and individualised multi-pronged approach to treating obesity and its related conditions.
Weight Loss at The Lifestyle Medical Clinic
At LMC, we aim to help you lose weight through clinically proven and sustainable weight loss solutions. This means losing weight at a healthy and steady pace, and teaching you valuable information about health and nutrition.
Our weight loss programme includes:
Health coaching for sustainable and effective lifestyle changes in your food, physical activity and sleep to aid in weight loss and prevent weight gain.
Nutritional consultation for dietary advice to ensure balanced nutritional intake for healthy weight loss
Medical evaluation for underlying medical conditions and weight related complications
Treatment with medications to aid in weight loss if suitable
Medical Evaluation and Treatment
Our medical team will evaluate to see if there are any underlying medical conditions that make it hard for you to lose weight (e.g. thyroid disorders) We also assess for health-related complications that can arise from obesity.
In some cases, medications such as weight loss injection pens may be necessary to assist with weight loss. These medications may have different efficacies in different individuals. One example of a weight loss injection pen is liraglutide, a hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) which regulates appetite by acting on the brain to reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness. This helps decrease overall calorie intake, contributing to weight loss.
Liraglutide, also known as Saxenda, has been studied in multiple peer-reviewed journals regarding its effectiveness. In one particular research published in 2017, 3731 individuals were monitored for 56 weeks. The patients had a BMI of 30 or higher without diabetes, or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related medical condition. They were divided into two groups of patients–one was treated with Saxenda, and the other a placebo. Both groups were told to control their diet and engage in exercise. At the end, one out of every three individuals who used Saxenda lost more than 10% of their body weight. Patients who completed the study and lost weight with Saxenda lost an average of 9.2% of their body weight and kept it off for a year. Patients’ cardiometabolic risk factors also improved in a number of ways.
In Singapore, weight loss injections are recommended for individuals with higher risk of obesity-related health issues:
- BMI of 30 or higher
- BMI of 27 or higher, with 1 comorbidity like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, etc.
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