If obesity has been playing tough, it is time for you to get expert advice: 10 questions you may want to discuss with your doctor about obesity 

Obesity is thought to be a consequence of poor lifestyle choices. It is often believed to be about how much you eat and how little you move. Scientifically, it may not be true. In order to understand about obesity, you may need to start talking to the expert.   

Obesity is a complex disease with increasing population becoming a victim to this condition. There are several reasons wherein a person may have condition called obesity but also there are many ways to manage it. Many people think that obesity has link with food intake and the amount of exercise one performs. Below are the 10 questions which you may discuss with your doctor about obesity.^1,2 

Q1. What are the main reasons for obesity? Is it my food habits, my lifestyle or hereditary? 

 Obesity is a multi-dimensional disease caused due to but not limited to stress, less physical activity, environmental conditions, unhealthy food habits, and also genes being one of the reasons.² 

 Q2. Does obesity have to be treated like a chronic disease like diabetes or hypertension? 

 Obesity is a serious medical condition that needs professional support. For people who have been overweight for almost their entire life or those who cannot lose weight despite continuous exercises, dietary supplements, and low-calorie intake may require individualized interventions and support to be successful in maintaining a healthy weight.^1,3 

 Q3. Is there any link between hormones and obesity?  

 Certain medical conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and pregnancy may cause hormonal imbalance which can lead to weight gain and sometimes obesity.⁴ 

  Q4. If not managed well, what are the health complications I may face due to obesity? 

  Obesity is a serious health condition, if not treated on time may cause complications leading to heart diseases, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and various cancers.⁵ 

  Q5. What are the long–term complications of obesity?  

Obesity if not treated on time may lead to long-term complications which include- heart diseases (stroke, heart attack), liver disorders, diabetes (high blood sugar), bone diseases (osteoarthritis), hypertension (increased blood pressure), and sometimes cancer. ^5,6  

Q6. What are the short–term complications of obesity? 

Obesity can sometimes cause few complications which may stay for a shorter period, if treated on time. These complications include- reproductive hormone abnormalities (PCOS), impaired fertility (difficulty getting pregnant), low back pain, and fetal defects in pregnant woman.⁶  

 Q7. Can I manage obesity on my own? 

 Commonly employed therapies in treatment of obesity are dietary therapy, exercise therapy, and weight reduction programms.³ These therapies may not be effective in patients dealing with obesity from a very long time. Such individuals need a medical advice and comprehensive treatment options like medical therapies or surgery. 

  Q8. Can I use any medicines to cure my obesity?  

 There are different medicines available in the market for treating obesity. It is always advisable to consult your doctor before taking any medicines on your own.  

 Q9. Can I choose surgery as an option for my obesity? 

Bariatric surgery is a surgical method available for removing fat in excessively obese patients. If compared to conventional treatment, bariatric surgery is better in terms of body fat reduction and reduced mortality risk.³  It is advisable to consult your doctor for any side effects or relative outcomes of the surgery. 

 Q10. Is it important for me to speak to my doctor about obesity? 

 Obesity is a serious medical condition which requires medical suggestion and intervention.^1,5 Obesity cannot be treated with traditional methods such as physical exercise or low-calorie diet. Hence, do not hesitate to speak to your doctor or physician to get the solutions for your problems related to obesity. 

References 

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Behavior, environment, and genetic factors all have a role in causing people to be overweight and obese. [Internet] 2018 Jan 19 [cited 2021 Feb 23]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/resources/diseases/obesity/index.htm#:~:text=LinkedIn-,Behavior%2C%20environment%2C%20and%20genetic%20factors%20all%20have%20a%20role%20in,to%20be%20overweight%20and%20obese&text=Obesity%20results%20from%20the%20energy,calories%20than%20their%20body%20burns. 
2. Cleveland Clinic. Weight Control and Obesity. [Internet] 2020 Apr 17 [cited 2021 Feb 23]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11209-weight-control-and-obesity#prevention 
3. Wirth A, Wabitsch M, Hauner H. The prevention and treatment of obesity. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014 Oct 17;111(42):705-13.  
4. National Institutes of Health. What causes obesity & overweight? [Internet] 2016 Jan 12 [cited 2021 Feb 23]. Available from: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/obesity/conditioninfo/cause. 
5. Panuganti KK, Nguyen M, Kshirsagar RK. Obesity. [Updated 2020 Dec 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459357/. 
6. Chan RS, Woo J. Prevention of overweight and obesity: how effective is the current public health approach. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2010;7(3):765-83.