Weight Loss FAQs

The ten most frequently asked questions about obesity:

1. What is obesity?
2. What is my body mass index (BMI)?
3. How do I know if I need to lose weight?
4. Is being overweight hereditary?
5. What other factors contribute to the development of obesity?
6. Does being obese or overweight put my health at risk?
7. How can I prevent obesity from developing?
8. What methods of weight loss treatment are available?
9. Is surgery a worthwhile risk?
10. Can I buy prescription weight loss treatment online?

1. What is obesity?

Obesity is a serious weight-related condition that can cause many other health problems, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It’s a condition that affects both adults and children and is diagnosed when you have more body fat than is healthy for your gender and height. People who are already overweight are at an elevated risk of developing this condition. Doctors use the body mass index (BMI) chart to establish whether you are obese.

2. What is my body mass index (BMI)?

BMI is a guideline used by medical professionals to judge how healthy your weight is in relation to your height. Our online consultation includes a section where you can calculate your BMI, or you can arrange an appointment with your doctor and they can help you measure it accurately.

3. How do I know if I need to lose weight?

A healthy BMI generally falls between 18.5 and 24.9. You are classed as overweight if your BMI is between 25 and 29.9; if your BMI is between 30 and 35 you’re classed as obese. A BMI of 27 to 29.9 is already considered seriously overweight and could affect on your health. If your BMI is over 30, it is strongly recommended that you consider treatment.

4. Is being overweight hereditary?

It has been proven that obesity can run in families, which means that you if your mother or father was obese, you may be more likely to become obese. Parents can also pass on bad dietary habits to their children and influence how much exercise they do. It doesn’t mean that you will definitely become obese because there is genetic pattern in your family, although it may contribute to the issue.

5. What other factors contribute to the development of obesity?

Obesity is mainly caused by a combination of poor diet combined with a lack of sufficient exercise. Most of us spend our day sitting down, as occupations involve less and less physical activity, which makes it difficult to fit exercise into our daily routine. Combine this lack of activity with eating fatty foods, sugary drinks, sweets and fast foods on a regular basis and it can lead to weight rapid weight gain. Other causes of weight gain include taking medications such as anti-depressants, loss of muscle because of aging, hormone problems, underactive thyroid, polycystic ovary syndrome, stress or insomnia.

6. Does being obese or overweight put my health at risk?

If obesity is left untreated, it can cause serious health problems. Obesity may also cause short term problems such as breathlessness, aches, pains and problems sleeping. Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and high blood pressure are some of the more serious conditions that can develop as a result of intense weight gain. You are also more likely to experience problems during pregnancy if you are obese. If you are overweight, it is a good idea to think about losing weight to ensure you do not become obese.

7. How can I prevent obesity from developing?

If you are worried that you are at risk of becoming overweight or obese, you can ask your doctor about an appropriate health plan to use as a guideline to live more healthily. The plan could involve eating healthily, cutting down on meal sizes and doing more regular exercises. If you would rather not speak to your doctor directly, you can complete an online consultation with HealthExpress or contact our doctor online.

8. What methods of weight loss treatment are available?

Some people find that a healthy diet with exercise, accompanied by the help and support of their friends and family, can be very effective. Over-the-counter medicines, although not clinically proven, can also be helpful in weight loss. Prescription medication used alongside diet and exercise can be considered if your conventional weight loss efforts aren’t as effective as you need them to be. In extreme cases there are a number of surgeries that can be considered.

9. Is surgery a worthwhile risk?

Weight loss surgery should only be considered when all other options have been explored or if your health is in serious immediate risk. Surgery generally involves restricting the amount of food you can eat. The most common methods in which to do this is either through gastric band surgery, gastric bypass, bilopancreatic diversion and sleeve gastrectomy. These procedures can take anything from half an hour to several hours, can be costly and the recovery process can be lengthy.

10. Can I buy prescription weight loss treatment online?

Xenical is currently the only available prescription treatment for weight loss and is prescribed to people with a BMI of 27 and above. It doesn’t work in the brain but directly in the digestive system to block up to a third of the fat you consume, and should preferably used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise. To see if you are suitable to take this medication, you can start a consultation today.