Managing your weight can be very difficult. Yes, there are hundreds of books, lifestyle and diet plans focused on weight loss, but for some, it’s not really that simple. The obesity epidemic in the UK is defined by millions of people with chronic issues that should be treated with the same care and attention as any other chronic illness. For many, medical weight loss treatment is the right option.
Things like medication (injections, pills, patches), bariatric surgery and more all fall under weight loss treatments, and should not be taken lightly. This article will explore the nature of taking on proper treatments for weight loss and the conditions you should keep in mind before you go down this route.
Considering your BMI
BMI is the simplest, most widely used screening tool used to calculate a ratio based on weight and height. Generally, anyone with a BMI of 30 or above is considered obese, making them eligible for professional weight loss interventions. It’s worth noting that a BMI 27-29.9 (overweight), with a comorbidity (weight-related health condition), is also considered eligible for treatment. BMI thresholds are lower for many ethnic groups, due to increased risks of conditions in these communities.
Note: Remember, BMI isn’t everything, as it doesn’t account for muscle mass or other physical composition elements.
Weight-related health conditions
Being overweight or obese can significantly increase your risk of having various health issues, which can necessitate treatment. Important conditions to consider include:
- Type 2 diabetes is often approached with treatment for weight loss as lower weight aids with blood sugar control and even remission
- Prediabetes and hyperglycemia are approached in the same way as type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure can also be managed with weight loss treatment
- High cholesterol and abnormal blood fat levels can be regulated with weight loss
- Sleep apnoea is a very common, dangerous symptom of obesity
- Cardiovascular disease, strokes and heart attacks can be weight-related and drive professional treatments
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can be better managed with weight loss
- Joint pain and mobility issues are often a result of obesity
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is mostly treated with weight loss
Your past weight loss attempts
Have you tried natural treatment for weight loss in the past? Have you attempted diets and exercise regimes? It’s easy to say the best weight loss treatment is the natural route, but if you’ve made significant efforts in the past and failed to make sustainable results, there’s no shame in taking the route of medical intervention.
Similarly, you should also consider how your weight really affects your life. Being overweight is only as okay as it makes you feel, so take your self-esteem, mood or social life into account.
How do you feel?
At the end of the day, taking on laser treatment for weight loss, getting surgery, doing weekly injections or going in any other medical direction should be dictated by how you feel about the change. Medication and other channels are not miracle cures or quick fixes – they’re designed to be used as a tool to aid with a wider lifestyle change. If you’re tired of the negatives of obesity, consider treatment as your pathway.
Similarly, you should not try to game the system if you’re simply trying to lose a few pounds. Taking drugs like Mounjaro or Wegovy can be dangerous for people who seek out illegitimate prescriptions, so don’t think you can get one over; when you should focus on making some manageable changes.
At the end of the day, any weight loss treatment needs to be guided by doctors. If you’re interested in taking the next steps, make sure you follow the proper medical channels.
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