‘Seeing’ Obesity: How Doctors and Patients Can Do Better

Seeing Obesity: How Doctors and Patients Can Do Better

Obesity is a global epidemic, with over 600 million adults worldwide classified as obese. In the United States, obesity affects more than one-third of adults and is a major risk factor for a number of chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.

Despite the high prevalence of obesity, many doctors and patients still struggle to talk about it in a productive way. This can be due to a number of factors, including stigma, shame, and a lack of understanding about the causes of obesity.

As a result, many obese patients do not receive the treatment they need to lose weight and improve their health. This is a serious problem, as obesity can have a devastating impact on a person's life.

What Doctors Can Do

Doctors play a vital role in helping obese patients lose weight and improve their health. Here are a few things that doctors can do to better address obesity:

* Be open and non-judgmental. When talking to obese patients, it is important to be open and non-judgmental. This will help to create a safe and supportive environment where patients feel comfortable talking about their weight.

* Understand the causes of obesity. Obesity is a complex disease that is influenced by a number of factors, including genetics, environment, and lifestyle. It is important for doctors to understand the causes of obesity in order to develop effective treatment plans.

* Set realistic goals. When working with obese patients, it is important to set realistic goals for weight loss. This will help to prevent patients from becoming discouraged and giving up.

* Provide support. Obese patients need support from their doctors and other healthcare professionals in order to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. This support can include providing information about healthy eating and exercise, as well as helping patients to develop coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and emotional eating.

What Patients Can Do

Obese patients also have a role to play in their own weight loss journey. Here are a few things that patients can do to improve their chances of success:

* Be honest with your doctor. It is important to be honest with your doctor about your weight and your eating and exercise habits. This will help your doctor to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.

* Set realistic goals. When setting weight loss goals, it is important to be realistic. This will help to prevent you from becoming discouraged and giving up.

* Make gradual changes. Trying to change everything all at once can be overwhelming. Instead, make gradual changes to your eating and exercise habits. This will make it more likely that you will stick with them in the long run.

* Don't give up. Weight loss is a journey, not a destination. There will be ups and downs along the way. Don't give up if you have a setback. Just keep at it and you will eventually reach your goals.

Working Together

Doctors and patients can work together to successfully treat obesity. By being open and non-judgmental, understanding the causes of obesity, setting realistic goals, and providing support, doctors can help obese patients lose weight and improve their health. By being honest with their doctors, setting realistic goals, making gradual changes, and not giving up, patients can take control of their weight and improve their lives.