In recent years, the issue of overweight and obesity has become a serious global problem, posing a major threat to public health. Obesity not only affects people’s quality of life but also serves as a significant trigger for chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome.
With the growing number of obese individuals, finding scientific and effective ways to lose weight has become an urgent matter. The reporter interviewed Shi Bingyin, a chief physician from the Endocrinology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University.Shi Bingyin explained that the causes of obesity are complex. It is not only related to genetic factors but also closely tied to an unhealthy lifestyle. Thus, in the process of losing weight, choosing an intervention method that suits one’s situation is crucial.
Lifestyle Intervention
For most overweight or slightly obese people, adjusting their lifestyle is the first choice. Diet control and exercise intervention are the most fundamental methods. Reducing the intake of high-calorie and high-sugar foods, increasing the proportion of vegetables, fruits, and high-quality protein, and combining these with regular exercise can effectively manage weight. Studies have shown that time-limited eating not only aids in weight management but also improves metabolic health.
Weight Loss through Medication
For moderately to severely obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 and concurrent metabolic syndrome such as hypertension and diabetes, when lifestyle intervention fails to achieve the desired weight loss effect, drug treatment can be used as an auxiliary measure. However, it must be carried out under strict medical guidance. Currently, there are many weight loss drugs on the market. Some drugs, like GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as semaglutide), are mainly used for treating diabetes but also have certain weight loss effects.
It should be emphasized that the use of drugs should be determined according to the patient’s condition to avoid blind use or abuse. Recently, some non-diabetic patients have blindly used hypoglycemic drugs for weight loss, which may lead to serious side effects like hypoglycemia.
Weight Loss Surgery
For patients with a BMI over 40 or over 35 with serious health problems, bariatric surgery is an option. But this surgery is not suitable for everyone and comes with certain risks. After the operation, patients still need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep the weight loss effect. So, bariatric surgery is only considered when other methods don’t work.
Both drug weight loss and bariatric surgery have their suitable populations and effects. No matter which method is selected, it should be scientifically evaluated under the doctor’s guidance based on an individual’s health condition and treatment needs, and a personalized treatment plan should be formulated.
In addition, traditional Chinese medicine methods such as acupuncture, massage, and various single and combined Chinese herbal medicines also have certain weight loss effects and can be used reasonably according to the patient’s condition.
Shi Bingyin summarized five small tips for scientific weight loss
Control Your Diet. Reducing the intake of high-sugar and high-fat foods and increasing the intake of fiber, high-quality protein, and healthy fats can help control weight.
Time-Limited Eating, Setting a fixed time window for eating, like finishing all meals within 8 hours a day, can improve metabolic health.
Keep Exercising. Engaging in more than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, and combining it with appropriate strength training can increase the basal metabolic rate.
Regular Monitoring, Recording indicators such as weight and waist circumference, adjusting diet and exercise plans in a timely manner, and maintaining long-term health management.
Maintain Mental Health, During the weight loss process, avoiding excessive stress or emotional eating and maintaining a positive attitude are helpful for long-term adherence.
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