Why dieting alone may not be enough for weight loss – experts explain obesity complexities
Expert in weight management have urged Ghanaians to treat obesity as a serious medical condition rather than simply a cosmetic concern or a problem that can be solved through dieting alone.
Obesity is a serious medical condition that goes beyond dieting and cosmetic concerns, according to experts in Ghana. Dr. Rex Kwame Bonsu, a physician specialist, and Ozwella Yeboah, a nurse at Vitality Health 360, emphasized that obesity involves the excessive accumulation of dysfunctional fat tissue that can impact various biological, physical, and metabolic functions.
Obesity is linked to several non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, sleep apnoea, and certain cancers like breast, endometrial, and colorectal cancers. Dr. Bonsu noted that BMI is only a screening tool and does not account for factors like age, sex, muscle mass, fat mass, and bone density.
Weight loss requires a calorie deficit, and regular physical activity can support this process. However, hormonal and metabolic factors can make weight loss challenging for some individuals. Dr. Bonsu cautioned against unsupervised use of weight-loss injections, stating that they should only be administered under qualified health professionals' guidance.
Vitality Health 360 offers personalized meal plans and assessments to determine individual needs, including full blood count, liver and kidney function tests, cholesterol levels, and body-composition analysis. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to regulate appetite, cravings, and metabolic conditions, but this should be determined and supervised by a specialist.
The experts urge those struggling with obesity or seeking professional support to visit Vitality Health 360 located on Oxford Street at Osu, Accra, emphasizing that weight management is not a one-size-fits-all process and professional assessment and guidance are crucial.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
