Obesity

Obesity Information Obesity has become an important health topic recently - the number of dangerously overweight people in the United Kingdom has trebled in 20 years. It is thought that over a third of people in the UK are overweight, and nearly a quarter are clinically obese!

When considering the implications of obesity, the first thing to understand is the difference between being overweight and being obese; and the health risks associated with each definition. Contrary to what you may read in the paper they are not interchangable definitions - and the distinction is important.

You can be 'overweight' in terms of excess muscle, bone or water but not be susceptible to developing serious health problems. Some people, including athletes with a lot of muscle, can be overweight, but quite healthy. Obesity, on the other hand, specifically refers to an excess amount of body fat - which can lead to the development of serious health issues.

As a rule, women have more body fat than men. Most health care providers agree that men with more than 25 percent body fat and women with more than 30 percent body fat are obese. Having a higher percentage of body fat than these averages induces many health problems including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and arthritis.

39% of Britons are overweight 19% of Britons are obese Obesity rates have tripled since 1982 Obesity is linked to: arthritis, heart disease and diabetes Obesity can reduce the life expectancy of diabetics by 8 years

How do I know if I am overweight or obese? The universally accepted method for determining obesity is calculating a persons' Body Mass Index (BMI). Your BMI is equal to your weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (BMI = kg/m2). Although the BMI ranges shown in the table are not exact ranges of healthy and unhealthy weight, they are useful guidelines. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 indicates a person is overweight, and a person with a BMI of greater than 30 is considered obese, and in need of assistance.

Click here to check your Body Mass Index (BMI). Your BMI must be over 30 in order to be considered a perscription treatment.

What can I do to lose the weight? The method of treatment depends on your level of obesity, overall health condition, and motivation to lose weight. Treatment may include a combination of diet, exercise, behavior modification, and sometimes prescription medication. In some cases of severe obesity, gastrointestinal surgery may be recommended.

Prescription Medication

There are three prescription drugs Xenical, Reductil and Acomplia (Rimonabant) which are approved in the UK for losing weight. If you wish to investigate this option, please fill in a free medical consultation with one of our specialist doctors. The service is free; there is no obligation to buy any treatments that the doctor may suggest; and your personal details are kept confidential.