merakoi’s Post

Changing the definition of obesity in order to limit who receives treatment does not solve the problem. Let’s be clear and honest with the public. Having a body composition which has excessive levels of fat puts you at much greater risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, Alzheimer’s, dementia and joint problems. Ozempic is not the answer and changing the diagnosis to limit who gets access to drugs and surgery isn’t the answer either, mainly because it should never be the solution in the first place. How about we ditch the BMI scale, take body composition and look at metabolic health as a whole. Start to look at lifestyles, behavioural change, stress management and access to a service with has personal trainers, psychologists, nutritionists and some accountability. Let’s look to prevent serious health issues and create lasting change in people’s lives. Healthcare is waiting for people to become unhealthy to then treat their symptoms with pharmaceutical interventions. Why do we never consider the alternatives which are harder to implement but clearly more beneficial? We have never challenged the food industry to change, or supported our farmers to make healthy food more available an cheaper. In fact we appear to be doing the complete opposite.

The rates of severe #obesity continue to rise, bringing an increased prevalence of associated comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. To effectively address this public health challenge, a comprehensive treatment approach is critical. Clinical interventions such as #glp1 receptor agonists and bariatric surgery can be life-changing for many, but it's essential to remember that these interventions should be complemented by clinically rigorous, intensive lifestyle changes. Sustainable behavior modifications—focusing on nutrition, physical activity, and mental well-being—are foundational to long-term success in managing obesity and its related health issues. Proud of the holistic approach of our clinically rigorous CVS Health Weight Management solution, that prioritizes sustainable individualized lifestyle changes to improve health outcomes and quality of life for those facing this challenge.

Since obesity is associated with many of the most resource-intensive conditions we treat, how we define it has widespread practical implications. If you would life a gift copy of the article, mail me. https://lnkd.in/e6TJtDF5

🩺 Do you feel confident discussing obesity with your patients? Here are 5 key 🗝️ considerations during a consultation: 1️⃣ Always ask permission from the patient first, before initiating a discussion around obesity and the management options. 2️⃣ Listen to the patient; this might be the first time they've had a chance to discuss living with obesity. 3️⃣ Ensure the discussion is patient-centred. 4️⃣ Encourage patients that achieving moderate and sustainable weight loss, eg. 5‐10%, can have a positive effect on health improvements. 5️⃣ Make every consultation count! Use each appointment as an opportunity to show patients living with obesity that we as healthcare professionals can support them. How do you initiate conversations with patients living with obesity? 🤔 Please share your experiences and advice! 🙏🏼 #obesity #obesitymanagement #obesityhealthalliance -------------------------------------------------------- Obesity Health Alliance, thank you for sharing your position statement on obesity treatment. Your webinar this evening provided a really thoughtful and practical discussion around the challenges and barriers that are faced by people living with obesity, especially when they are trying to access support and treatment. I would really recommend watching the webinar, which was hosted by the BMA (British Medical Association). The OHA position statement can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eJRaekZk

🌟 At GLĒO Wellness, we stand with the Obesity Medicine Association in addressing concerns about redefining obesity as merely a “risk factor.” 🌟 Obesity is not just a number or a condition—it’s a complex, chronic disease that deserves to be recognized and treated with the same urgency and compassion as any other chronic health issue. By acknowledging it as a disease, we can ensure individuals receive timely care, evidence-based interventions, and the dignity they deserve on their health journey. 💡 Our mission at GLĒO Wellness is to provide personalized, comprehensive, and compassionate telemedicine care to adults living with obesity across Massachusetts. We believe in meeting patients where they are—both literally and figuratively—and empowering them with the tools and support needed to achieve sustainable, long-term health. Together, let’s reframe the conversation around obesity care, champion early interventions, and advocate for better health outcomes for all. 🌱 💻 Read more about the OMA’s stance and learn how GLĒO Wellness is helping to transform obesity care. #ObesityCare #ChronicDisease #AdvocacyInHealthcare #PatientCenteredCare #ComprehensiveCare #TelemedicineSolutions #WeightManagement #HealthEquity #Empowerment #GLEOWellness

Clearly BMI is not sufficient but can we move away from it? Should it be used in defining obesity as a disease? Can obesity be considered a disease without weight related complications? And should treatment be considered only in such circumstances? An interesting read. EASO position - Obesity is a multifactorial, chronic, relapsing, non-communicable disease with an abnormal and/or excessive accumulation of body fat that presents a risk to health. #ObesityManagement European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) ECPObesity

Excerpt: "The obesity epidemic is a global health crisis, entailing not only adverse health outcomes but staggering costs placing a significant strain on health budgets. Among the multiple health risks associated with obesity, CV risk factors and CVD stand out as a primary contributor to the escalating healthcare costs because of their high prevalence in the population." Employers: Let's discuss "Keeping Up With the Ever-Changing Landscape of Obesity Management" Wed., Sept. 18 at our hybrid, full-day forum where you will: -Leverage insights from employers to craft effective obesity strategies, including the potential use of guardrails. -Review the impact and implications of covering GLP-1 weight loss medications. -Examine how to advocate for evidence-based practices, eg. appropriate utilization management and coverage for impactful obesity solutions. -Understand how to mitigate the effects of weight stigma experienced by individuals with obesity. MBGH forum details: https://lnkd.in/diP8UJ6Z Journal article: https://lnkd.in/gbV4fzXh #employers #mbghevents #obesity #healthbenefits #hr #healthcare #employerswhocare #healthcarecosts

Diagnosing #obesity should extend beyond body mass index (#BMI) to include measures such as waist circumference and individual physical symptoms. The Commission on Clinical Obesity defines “clinical obesity” as “symptoms of reduced organ function, or significantly reduced ability to conduct standard day-to-day activities, such as bathing, dressing, eating and continence, directly due to excess body fat”. The Lancet Group University of Colorado University of Sydney

In a study of over 17,000 adults with overweight or obesity but without diabetes, participants lost an average of 10% of their body weight and more than 7 centimeters from their waistline. Importantly, the findings also indicate that semaglutide delivers cardiovascular benefits irrespective of starting weight and the amount of weight lost—suggesting that even patients with mild obesity or those not losing weight are likely to gain some advantage. ❤️ Disclaimer: Obesity Matters does not support stigmatizing images as the one used in this article and urges the media to use non-stigmatizing, inclusive images. #WeightLoss #ObesityStudy #Semaglutide #ObesityMatters #SELECTStudy #ECO2024 https://ow.ly/RbcB50S6bvO

📢 📢 Big news in the fight against living with obesity! 📢 📢 Novo Nordisk’s latest breakthrough, amycretin, is showing remarkable promise. Their oral obesity pill has demonstrated faster weight loss than the company’s own injection-based blockbuster, Wegovy (semaglutide). 🏃♂️💨 In a Phase I study, patients on the highest dose of amycretin saw a 13.1% reduction in body weight in just 12 weeks—far outpacing the 6% reduction seen with Wegovy during the same period. Even those on a lower dose of amycretin saw a significant 10.4% weight loss. 💡 Why this matters: Amycretin represents a significant leap forward in obesity management—offering a more convenient oral option with highly competitive results. The implications for those struggling with weight management could be game-changing, especially as obesity continues to impact overall health and performance in the workplace. 🌍 ⚠️ Important caveat: While this sounds exciting, weight loss is only good news if it’s fat loss—not muscle. To ensure muscle retention, it’s crucial that patients consuming amycretin focus on adequate protein and fibre intake, alongside resistance training. These elements are key to maintaining muscle mass and achieving sustainable health improvements. 💪🥗 🔬 Although still in its early stages, this innovation aligns with the growing demand for non-invasive treatments and could reshape the market for obesity solutions. 📈 Keep an eye on the evolving science around weight management—evidence-based options like these are paving the way for more personalised and accessible healthcare solutions…if done right!!! Justin Vaughan Essentio Health Build a Bridge - Live Your Best Life Pty Ltd #HealthInnovation #ObesityManagement #HealthcareLeadership #EssentioHealth #MuscleRetention #Protein #StrengthTraining