The obesity problem

Approximately a quarter of the UK’s population is obese, and around 4 in 10 are overweight but without obesity.¹ The World Health Organization defines obesity as a chronic complex disease characterised by excess fat that poses significant health risks.²

Obesity is traditionally measured using Body Mass Index (BMI), with a score of 30 indicating obesity. However, BMI fails to distinguish between body fat and muscle, which can skew results for certain individuals. It is therefore more beneficial to measure the degree of obesity using metrics such as waist circumference, skinfold thickness, and body fat percentages.

Making obesity treatment personal

Many ‘healthy living’ initiatives have been implemented in the past, from the addition of more green spaces in cities to healthy eating campaigns. But, with the number of people being overweight in the country continually rising, it’s evident that something needs to change.³

The initiatives currently set in place aren’t individualised. However, the way in which we gain weight differs from person to person, and how we store any excess fat also depends on a variety of factors. For instance, studies have shown that there is a strong link between genetics and obesity, thus more making it difficult for some people to lose weight.⁴

This is why we need to look past just eating better and moving more , and focus on the cluster of other factors that contribute to the disease, as listed below.

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Genetics
Your genes, based on your family history and ethnicity, play a large role in the development of obesity. There are around 250 genes linked to obesity, each of which contributes to weight gain in one way or another.⁵ For example, the fat mass and obesity (FTO) gene carries the most risk, meaning that those who have it are more likely to develop obesity.⁵
Environmental influences
Where you live and work heavily influence your habits. Urban areas with less green space and many fast food options can make it challenging to stay active. Office-based jobs can make it difficult to stay physically active. You can still adopt healthier behaviours by utilising available facilities and choosing activities and foods that align with your goals.
Psychological aspects
There’s a two-way association between obesity and mental health, with depression and anxiety contributing to weight gain.⁶ Feeling judged about your body can lead to comfort eating and a cycle of feeling bad about oneself. Recognising your feelings as valid is an essential step toward a healthier relationship with food and your body.
Hormones
Your hormones are the messengers that send signals to your brain and tell your body what to do. Hormone dysregulation causes conditions such as hypothyroidism and polycystic ovarian syndrome that can affect your metabolism. These conditions cannot be prevented and can affect anyone.
Your metabolism
Your metabolism varies depending on a variety of factors such as your genetic makeup, age, and sex. If you have a slower metabolism–which is entirely normal– you may be more prone to obesity.

A big step towards better health

Unlike some other countries and global health organisations, the UK hasn't yet classified obesity as a disease. However, this perspective needs to change. A disease is a condition that significantly affects how the body works, and obesity fits this description, even though it may not have specific, unique symptoms.

Recognising obesity as a disease could really improve care, helping healthcare professionals receive better training and communicate more effectively with patients.³ It could also mean giving obesity more attention in the healthcare system, leading to more preventative and comprehensive medical treatment specific to weight loss.³

While we’re making great strides with their introduction as licensed medicines, the lack of recognition of obesity as a disease has made it difficult to roll out prescriptions to those who need them.

If this new definition were to go forward in the UK, we can expect:

Increase in access to medical treatment
Reduce stigma and blame
Create a more supportive environment for treatment
Ensure longevity for the population

The medical way to manage weight

Obesity is a complex disease, but it is one that can be prevented. For some people, following experts’ weight loss tips and finding activities that they enjoy helps to manage weight. But for others, they may need specialist help.

You don’t have to fight obesity on your own. Medical intervention through the use of approved weight loss medications and guidance by expert health coaches can help you understand and establish a healthy mindset that lets you sustainably reach your health goals. Below are just some of the ways you can get a head start.

Nutrition and weight management

Maintaining a healthy diet is crucial for effective weight management and overall well-being. Eating a balanced diet rich in nutrients can help regulate weight, boost energy levels, and prevent chronic diseases.

Navigating healthy eating can be challenging. Many products are labelled as "healthy" when they contain hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, or excessive calories. It can be difficult to distinguish genuinely nutritious options from misleading marketing claims, so you must do your due diligence when picking out the foods to eat.

For professional support on maintaining a balanced diet, it’s worth considering health coaching. Health coaches can help you make simple swaps that enhance your nutritional status. They can also guide you on meals that make you feel fuller for longer and ways of cutting down sugar intake while still feeling satisfied.

man-exercising

Incorporating movement

Exercise can significantly help reduce your risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease, so you should try and move your feet whenever you can. Studies and national guidelines suggest that 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, meaning that your heart rate is elevated during the time you move, is associated with healthy weight loss and maintenance over time.⁷

Moving in any capacity is better for you than being sedentary. The more you enjoy an activity, the more likely you are to stick to it. And don’t worry about attempting a 10k run instantly. Just do what you can and build up slowly.

References

House of Commons Library (2023). Obesity statistics. Retrieved from: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn03336/#:~:text=The%20Health%20Survey%20for%20England,is%20classified%20as%20'overweight'.
Obesity and overweight. (WHO). Retrieved 19 July 2024, from Who.int website: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
Luli, M., Yeo, G., Farrell, E., Ogden, J., Parretti, H., Frew, E., … Miras, A. D. (2023). The implications of defining obesity as a disease: a report from the Association for the Study of Obesity 2021 annual conference. EClinicalMedicine, 58(101962), 101962. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101962
Golden, A., & Kessler, C. (2020). Obesity and genetics. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 32(7), 493–496. doi:10.1097/jxx.0000000000000447
Tirthani, E., Said, M. S., & Rehman, A. (2024). Genetics and Obesity. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34424641
Rajan, T. M., & Menon, V. (2017). Psychiatric disorders and obesity: A review of association studies. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 63(3), 182–190. doi:10.4103/jpgm.jpgm_712_16
Celik, O., & Yildiz, B. O. (2021). Obesity and physical exercise. Minerva Endocrinology, 46(2). doi:10.23736/s2724-6507.20.03361-1