Home News Current: Surgeon CON emphasizes importance of guideline, but argues for more focus on most effective approach to obesity
Dated August 9, 2023
Time 12 noon
The new overweight and obesity guideline is an important step in tackling overweight and obesity. According to the latest figures, half of the adult Dutch population is overweight and 15% of them are obese. A growing problem with serious consequences for public health. Nevertheless, the new guideline lacks the focus on the most effective approach for the latter group, says bariatric surgeon Marloes Emous, of Centrum Obesitas Noord-Nederland.
The new adult overweight and obesity guideline, which appeared on July 10, provides healthcare providers with a clear framework for assessing and treating overweight and obesity. “It is very good that there is now an integrated guideline that covers the entire range of overweight,” emphasizes Emous. The guideline ensures that overweight people receive appropriate treatment. The guideline devotes relatively much attention to the use of Combined Lifestyle Intervention (GLI). These are lifestyle programs aimed at sleep rhythm, nutrition, exercise and psychological well-being, which last at least one year. “For people with a BMI of 25 to 30, this can be very effective,” says Emous. A good lifestyle brings people to a healthier weight, which prevents them from developing obesity and that is important.
Footnote
Emous does make a comment: GLI has not been proven effective for people who are already obese. “The most effective treatment is stomach reduction surgery in combination with lifestyle changes,” says Emous. “The guideline does refer to the option of surgical treatment of obesity, but that is somewhat overlooked. While it has been scientifically proven to be the most effective method for people with a BMI from 35. If these people first have to go through a certain process for a year or more, and then end up with an operation with (too) little result, then is that a sin.”
Obesity (BMI 40+) has various causes. In addition to lifestyle, hormones, stress, metabolism and genes can also contribute. Appropriate and above all effective treatment for this degree of overweight is important, because obesity is also often the cause of many other serious health problems.
Operation and lifestyle
Emous is a surgeon at Centrum Obesitas Noord-Nederland, part of Medisch Centrum Leeuwarden. At the center, patients are required to follow a lifestyle program in addition to gastric reduction surgery. This process starts a few months before the operation and continues until one and a half years after the operation. In addition, patients are followed up to five years after surgery. The results in the field of sustainable weight loss are favorable.
2023-08-09 10:01:42
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