Battling the disease of Obesity, not weight loss

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Medical treatment of Obesity

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JECole2013
JECole2013 Posts: 65 Member
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This booklet is an amazing read if you want to get to know this disease.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/ob_gdlns.pdf

Some people don't want to spend time educating themselves about the "negatives" in their lives. I'm not one of them. I believe, after 50 years on this Earth, that education is the path to good things.

So, how about taking a look at this and posting what you find important!

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  • JECole2013
    JECole2013 Posts: 65 Member
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    This is from the booklet created to give doctors protocols for treating obesity:

    Dietary Therapy

    Low-calorie diets are recommended for weight loss in overweight and obese persons. Evidence Category A. Reducing fat as part of a low-calorie diet is a practical way to reduce calories. Evidence Category A.
    Reducing dietary fat alone without reducing calories is not sufficient for weight loss. However, reducing dietary fat, along with reducing dietary carbohydrates, can facilitate caloric reduction. Evidence Category A.
    A diet that is individually planned to help create a deficit of 500 to 1,000 kcal/day should be an integral part of any program aimed at achieving a weight loss of 1 to 2 lb/week. Evidence Category A.
    Physical Activity
    Physical activity is recommended as part of a comprehensive weight loss therapy and weight maintenance program because it: (1) modestly contributes to weight loss in overweight and obese adults (Evidence Category A), (2) may decrease abdominal fat (Evidence Category B), (3) increases cardiorespiratory fitness (Evidence Category A), and (4) may help with maintenance of weight loss (Evidence Category C).
    ■ Physical activity should be an integral part of weight loss therapy and weight maintenance. Evidence Category A. Initially, moderate lev- els of physical activity for 30 to 45 minutes, 3 to 5 days per week should be encouraged. All adults should set a long-term goal to accumu- late at least 30 minutes or more of moderate- intensity physical activity on most, and preferably all, days of the week. Evidence Category B.
    ■ The combination of a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity is recommend- ed since it produces weight loss, decreases abdominal fat, and increases cardiorespiratory fitness. Evidence Category A.
    3. Behavior Therapy
    ■ Behavior therapy is a useful adjunct when incorporated into treatment for weight loss and weight maintenance. Evidence Category B.
    ■ Practitioners need to assess the patient’s moti- vation to enter weight loss therapy; assess the readiness of the patient to implement the plan and then take appropriate steps to motivate the patient for treatment. Evidence Category D.
    ■ Behavior therapy strategies to promote diet and physical activity should be used routinely, as they are helpful in achieving weight loss and weight maintenance. Evidence Category B.
    4. Combined Therapy
    ■ Weight loss and weight maintenance therapy should employ the combination of low-calorie
    diets, increased physical activity, and behavior therapy. Evidence Category A.
    5. Pharmacotherapy
    ■
    Weight loss drugs approved by the FDA may be used as part of a comprehensive weight loss program including diet and physical activity for patients with a BMI of ≥ 30 with no concomitant obesity- related risk factors or diseases, and for patients with a BMI of ≥ 27 with concomitant obesity-related risk factors or diseases. Drugs should never be used with- out concomitant lifestyle modification. Continual assessment of drug therapy for effi- cacy and safety is necessary. If the drug is effi- cacious in helping the patient lose and/or maintain weight loss and there are no serious adverse effects, it can be continued. If not, it should be discontinued. Evidence Category B.
    Weight Loss Surgery
    Weight loss surgery is an option in carefully selected patients with clinically severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with comorbid condi- tions) when less invasive methods of weight loss have failed and the patient is at high risk for obesity-associated morbidity or mortality. Evidence Category B
  • JECole2013
    JECole2013 Posts: 65 Member
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    I read in this booklet that all weight loss, whether 1 pound a week or 2, will typically plateau at about 6 months into the weight loss. For those who have a BMI of 30+, that means that after about 50 pounds of weight loss you can expect to stop loosing for a while. However, that plateau is not permanent and continuing the regiment is necessary.

    It also states, that treating Obesity requires a healthy weight maintenance program for the rest of the patient's life. After weight loss, the ultimate goal in order to keep obesity in remission is:
    1. Daily exercise of 30 minutes a day (this is the end goal, not the starting one. In fact, they recommend to ease into exercise.)
    2. Real food, rich in nutrients, rather than a diet dominated by over processing.
    3. Good sleep each night
    4. Proper hydration
    5. And good relationship with a doctor who understands and is interested in obesity management.

    I believe that also includes doing our best to stay away from crave-inducing foods (simple carbs and refined sugar) that can trigger addictive behaviors.
  • 2000chances
    2000chances Posts: 40 Member
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    DOCTORS HAVE HELP NOW:

    News Releases
    Medical Specialty Society Offers First-ever Obesity Treatment Algorithm to Physicians
    Last Updated on Thursday, 12 December 2013 14:58
    DENVER (Oct. 11, 2013) -- Today, the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) rolls out the first-ever comprehensive Obesity AlgorithmTM charts that navigate the physician's role in medically treating and caring for patients affected by obesity.

    The Obesity Algorithm charts--developed and written by a group of leading obesity medicine specialists--offer all physicians an overview of principles that are necessary to consider when evaluating patients and implementing treatment plans for patients affected by obesity. Within these plans are options for nutrition strategies, exercise prescription, behavior change, weight-loss medications and discussion of surgical options. In addition to weight loss, the algorithm places a strong emphasis on optimizing health, decreasing disease risk and improving overall quality of life.

    The agorithm is available as a free download from www.ObesityAlgorithm.org and a video podcast about how physicians can use it is available from that page.

    "Physicians are now confronted with the need to understand what makes obesity a disease and how patients affected by obesity are best managed," said ASBP President-elect and Algorithm Committee Co-chair Deborah Bade Horn, D.O., M.P.H., F.A.S.B.P. "They can benefit from the algorithm, which compiles the experience of researchers and clinicians who engage in obesity treatment on a day-to-day basis."

    The algorithm emphasizes patients' overall health and reduction in risk of developing associated conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease and depression. Changes will only be recommended following an examination of the patient's current lifestyle, family history, physical exam and laboratory testing. The algorithm will aid physicians in determining whether these results warrant a need for intervening obesity treatment and what that care would look like.

    The algorithm also offers suggestions for affordable treatment options. Physicians can use the algorithm to create individualized treatment plans for patients, providing them with optimal obesity care at an affordable cost.

    "This will help give physicians a better opportunity to manage patients affected by obesity in the most compassionate, scientifically sound and cost-effective way possible," said ASBP Trustee and Algorithm Committee Co-chair Jennifer Seger, M.D.

    Following the American Medical Association's (AMA's) decision in June to declare obesity a chronic disease state, more patients are seeking treatment options from their primary care providers. However, research studies indicate that primary care physicians want and need more help in discussing obesity with their patients. According to a study published in December 2012, primary care physicians have a perceivable need for additional education and training in order to improve treatment and care for patients affected by obesity. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 36 percent of U.S. adults and 17 percent of youth are affected by obesity. Obesity increases the risk of having heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, the leading causes of preventable death in the United States.

    The American Society of Bariatric Physicians (www.asbp.org) is the leading association for clinical physicians and other providers dedicated to the comprehensive medical treatment of patients affected by obesity and associated conditions. Many ASBP-member physicians also hold certification from the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Physicians may download a free copy of the Obesity AlgorithmTM charts at www.ObesityAlgorithm.org. Individuals can search for obesity medicine specialists in their own area at www.FindObesityTreatment.org.

    Note to the Editor: Members of the media can download a copy of the Obesity Algorithm charts, a summary about how physicians can use the algorithm, the Medical Obesity Treatment Options Fact Sheet, and a patient-friendly infographic. Contact heidi@asbp.org to make requests for interviews.

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