04/03, World Obesity Day: how to define the best treatment?

According to the Ministry of Health, obesity affects 1 in 4 Brazilians over the age of 18 and it is expected that by 2035 these figures will reach 41% of adults

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity and overweight will compromise the health of more than 2.5 billion people worldwide by 2035. And, to remember this increasingly alarming number, March 4th is called World Obesity Day.

According to data from the Ministry of Health, released last year, obesity affects 7 million adults, or 1 in 4 Brazilians over the age of 18. According to 2022 Vigitel data (Surveillance of risk and protective factors of chronic diseases by telephone survey), currently 22.4% of the Brazilian adult population is obese. By 2035, however, these numbers are expected to reach 41% of adults. Among children, 6.4 million are already overweight. This high prevalence leads to many other complications and diseases.

How do we define obesity?

Obesity is a chronic and progressive disease, which is why it requires treatment. It is classified as a major risk factor for several non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as several types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension.

“Dietary re-education and physical activity strategies are fundamental for the prevention of obesity and its complications, but pharmacological or surgical treatments of the disease may prove insufficient and adjuvant”clarifies Dr. Ricardo Cohencoordinator of the Specialized Center for Obesity and Diabetes of the Alemão Oswaldo Cruz Hospital, world reference in the treatment of obesity and diabetes and elected world president of the International Federation for Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO).

How to define the best treatment for obesity?

To define the best treatment it is necessary to analyze the consequences of obesity on the body. On the basis of this evaluation, the criteria will be defined to indicate the prescription of drugs that are revolutionizing the treatment of the disease: drugs that imitate hormones classified as incretins, which have among their actions the reduction of appetite and greater satiety, but which need to be administered with medical guidance and monitoring.

“These modern treatment options, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, must be applied continuously and under medical prescription. If the patient stops taking it, he or she can regain the weight lost during treatment. This is no different from the management of other chronic diseases, such as high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension”explains the professional.

“If the patient stops taking the drugs for any reason, these problems tend to become uncontrollable and lead to complications in organs such as the kidneys, brain and heart. With the drugs and metabolic interventions currently available, we can cure patients, from the mildest to the most severe cases”Dr. Cohen points out.

According to the expert, significant and lasting weight loss promotes the control or even remission of obesity-related diseases, which can be considered the epidemic of the 21st century. “And the surgeon’s mission is to be able to unify all therapeutic options, so that each patient is treated in a personalized way and that in the future the treatment of chronic and progressive diseases, such as obesity, is carried out through precision medicine”concludes Cohen.

Information on the Alemão Oswaldo Cruz Hospital

Founded in 1897 by a group of German-speaking immigrants, the Alemão Oswaldo Cruz Hospital is a large hospital center and a highly complex landmark. With 126 years of history, it offers patients access to the highest standards of quality and safety in care, certified by the certification of the Joint Commission International (JCI), the main healthcare accreditation agency in the world. With a renowned clinical team, made up of more than 5 thousand doctors registered in the active register and one of the most qualified assistance in the country. Since 2008 it has been operating in the public sector as one of the Healthcare Institutions of Recognized Excellence (ESRE) of the Program to Support the Institutional Development of the Unified Healthcare System (Proadi-SUS) of the Ministry of Health.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.