Indian doctors have issued new guidelines for diagnosing obesity, which has become a major crisis in India.

Published in Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Reviews, doctors from National Diabetes Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC), Fortis C-DOC Hospital and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) recommend lifestyle changes for obesity. shared. , different for each stage.

Obesity is divided into stage 1 and stage 2.

First step: Excess body fat (BMI greater than 23 kg/m2) without affecting organ function or daily activities is considered stage 1 obesity. Although this stage does not yet cause health problems, it can progress to stage 2 obesity, which is associated with mechanical and pathological problems.

Step 2: An advanced stage of obesity is marked by a BMI greater than 23 kg/m2, increased abdominal fat, larger waist size or a higher waist-to-height ratio. This can affect physical and organ functions, leading to problems like knee arthritis or obesity-related diseases like type 2 diabetes.

Lifestyle changes and obesity management

Evaluation of obesity includes reviewing the medical history, performing a physical examination, and performing relevant tests. This helps rule out secondary causes and rule out associated health conditions.

stage 1 obesity

lifestyle changes

For stage 1 obesity, focus on personalized nutrition plans, regular physical activity, and behavior modification. These steps are often enough to reduce the risk of progressing to stage 2 obesity.

The medication may be necessary for: people at risk for stage 2 obesity (such as diabetes or a family history of heart disease), significant weight gain (greater than or equal to 10%) despite lifestyle changes, and individuals with a BMI of 27.5 kg. M2 or higher.

stage 2 obesity

For stage 2 obesity, persistent and intensive lifestyle changes are necessary.

diet management

• Reduce calorie intake to create negative energy balance. Balance macronutrients while cutting calories. Follow low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets as these are effective for short-term weight loss, especially in people on high-carb diets. Aim for a daily calorie deficit of about 500 kcal through diet and exercise.
• Maintain long-term dietary efforts to prevent weight gain. Pay attention to protein and include more protein or supplements for weight loss and improved nutrition.
• The ketogenic diet promotes fat metabolism by reducing carb intake.
• Choose diet plans based on personal preferences, nutritional needs and sustainability.

role of physical activity

Physical activity helps with weight loss, preserves muscle and promotes overall health. It works best along with dietary changes to maintain negative energy balance.

• Aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
• Limit sedentary (inactive) habits and include light intensity activities.
• Combine aerobic and resistance exercises for better results.
• Tailor the exercise routine to individual needs and gradually increase the intensity.
• Perform a pre-exercise health screening for people with medical conditions.

medicinal management

• Set realistic weight loss goals and accept potential plateaus during treatment.
• Prepare patients for possible weight gain after discontinuing medications.
• Use medication along with lifestyle changes to achieve a 5-10% reduction in body weight within 3-6 months.
• Avoid medications that promote weight gain and choose weight-neutral alternatives instead.

Medicines for non-diabetic individuals

In India, approved options include orlistat and GLP-1 receptor agonists. Orlistat remains the most widely available anti-obesity drug.