World Obesity Day

Advertisements for weight loss treatments. You see them coming by all day long. But how safe is it? And is it really too good to be true? Today is World Obesity Day and it's about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and timely treatment. Because obesity is more than being overweight; it can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

What is obesity?

Obesity is a condition in which you have too much body fat. This can lead to health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Obesity often results from a combination of an unhealthy lifestyle, not enough exercise and an unbalanced diet. Hereditary factors and certain hormones can also play a role. It is important to seek help in time and work toward a healthier lifestyle.

Causes and Risks

The main causes of obesity are:

An unhealthy diet high in sugar and fat
Little physical activity
heredity and genetic predisposition
Hormonal abnormalities and sometimes medications

The risks of obesity are great. In addition to diabetes and heart problems, obesity increases the risk of joint problems and certain cancers. Because obesity affects almost every aspect of your health, it is important to take action early.

Loss medications and injections

There are several medications that can help with weight loss. For example, some drugs work on appetite or increase satiety. There are also weight-loss injections on the market that seem promising. But beware: advertising for these treatments can be misleading. In fact, weight-loss drugs and injections can cause side effects such as nausea, headaches and, in some cases, serious complications. It is therefore important to always consult with your doctor and pharmacy before starting these treatments. The Radboudumc published an article about it. We summarized it for you:

There are new weight-loss drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) that help with weight loss by reducing appetite. While effective, they are not a panacea and work best when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
Side effects are common, including nausea, abdominal discomfort and fatigue. Little is also known about long-term effects. Stopping the drug can lead to weight gain.
For those with a desire to conceive, losing weight can improve fertility, but these medications can potentially affect how well the birth control pill works.
Because drugs are expensive and not reimbursed for obesity, lifestyle change is the first step. Medication can be a support, but only under the guidance of a physician.

Reduction and advice

Ozempic and Rebelsus (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is reimbursed in the Netherlands only for people with type 2 diabetes and not for weight loss or obesity.