“The previous guideline dates from 2008,” says van Rossum, “We are 15 years later. There are many new insights from science that we have to translate into practice. Many people with obesity have been added, the problem has only grown .”
Cause of obesity
According to van Rossum, the emphasis in the new guideline is much more on looking at the cause of the overweight. “It is often an unhealthy lifestyle, but not for everyone. Psychological factors or social factors may also play a role. And it may also be due to the use of medication.”
“The approach is different in those cases,” says van Rossum. “More customization in treatment is possible in the new guideline.”
Not only weight is important
Also, not only weight is considered in the outcome of the treatment. “We don’t just look at whether someone loses weight. We now know that there are many others that you have to determine, such as body composition, muscle mass, quality of life and waist size.”
“And not only diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease are linked to obesity, but also hormonal disorders and depression, for example, which are now included in the guideline.”
It is also important that overweight people are taken seriously, says van Rossum. “We should not just point the finger at people with obesity. But the government must also intervene at the front. Think, for example, of a sugar tax and better information.”
2023-07-11 04:53:08
#obesity #guideline
