Doctors and specialists in endocrinology ask to recognize obesity as a chronic disease, provide more adequate treatments and create prevention programs. March 4, World Obesity Day
Sports activity favors the prevention of obesity. Photo courtesy of Nacho Bazarra
According to the World Health Organization, obesity has tripled since 1975 worldwide. In 2020, 16% of the Spanish population suffered from this disease, according to data from the Ministry of Health.
Obesity is a chronic disease of pandemic dimension. Currently, more than half of the world’s population is overweight. In Europe, one in 5 people.
In Spain, the prevalence of overweight is 39.3% in adults and 21.6% of obesity. However, numerous factors prevent an effective and multidisciplinary approach.
Within the framework of World Obesity Day, the Spanish Society of Endicronology and Nutrition (SEEN) has launched a series of warnings about this pathology, as well as recommendations and requests for the approach and treatment of the disease.
little recognition
The lack of recognition by society and health professionals is one of the factors that makes an adequate approach impossible.
According to the ACTION-IO study, 59% of people with obesity recognize that it is a chronic disease and 80% believe that treatment is their responsibility.
From the association they denounce that many affected take up to 6 years to go to a health professional to request treatment.
In addition, only 44% of patients receive a diagnosis from their doctor and 24% have a follow-up.
This lack of attention is mainly due to factors such as stigmatization, lack of resources, difficult economic access to pharmacological treatment and long waiting lists for surgical treatment.
For this reason, experts ask that obesity be considered as a chronic disease and that a multidisciplinary approach be taken.
Likewise, the SEEN believes that it is necessary to carry out a strategic plan for prevention, diagnosis and treatment and recalls that the origin of obesity is complex and multifactorial.
Physical activity, the best prevention
Genetics, stress and a sedentary lifestyle are some of the causes that can produce this disease.
The health professionals explain that an adequate treatment of obesity can prevent the incidence of cancer, general mortality, cardiovascular problems and remit diabetes.
Similarly, physical activity and following a varied and balanced diet are key to preventing obesity.
For this reason, from the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition they propose to involve the ministries of health and the different institutions to promote health and the creation of a healthier environment.
In addition, the association makes available to primary care a Comprehensive approach guide to obesity to facilitate care from the patients.
Its purpose is to promote greater knowledge and understanding of this disease to improve access to treatment and end stigma.
Main recommendations
The high prevalence, the pleasure that food can bring, the aesthetic pressures, hoaxes and pseudosciences pose a challenge for the health approach.
On the other hand, many professionals lack training in healthy eating and there is a huge shortage of multidisciplinary teams that know how to treat this disease.
However, prevention is the best treatment.
From the medical team of Melio.es, an online blood analysis platform, they launch four recommendations to avoid obesity:
- Don’t go hungry: eat five meals a day to avoid binge eating and limit snacking. Choose healthy and filling snacks like nuts, dairy products and fruit.
- Increase the consumption of fruit: fruits provide essential vitamins and minerals for the functioning of the body. They are also rich in fiber and water, so they favor hydration and appetite regulation.
- Increase physical activity: start gradually with small challenges to keep you active. Change small habits like using the car and change them for a walk. Little by little you can increase the time and introduce more activity.
- Check your health: carry out regular check-ups of blood tests to determine the existence of dyslipidemia, diabetes or other diseases.
0 Comments:
Publicar un comentario