Acıbadem Ankara Hospital Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Sena Arıcı said, “Methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) offer strategies to change food and body perception, thus supporting the weight loss process. In addition, research and clinical trials on obesity treatment contribute to the development of new treatment options.”
The obesity prevalence rate in Turkey is 17 percent and unfortunately this rate is increasing every year. Acıbadem Ankara Hospital Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Sena Arıcı, who pointed out that obesity is considered an important health problem worldwide, said that it would be beneficial for the society to have more information about obesity.
Stating that obesity is a health condition that occurs as a result of excessive fat accumulation in the body, Dr. Arıcı said, “It is usually evaluated using Body Mass Index (BMI). A BMI of 30 or above is considered obesity. Obesity can be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, behavioral and metabolic factors. These factors include genetic predisposition, unhealthy eating habits, low physical activity level, hormonal imbalances and psychological factors.”
Dr. Arıcı stated that obesity can cause many serious health problems such as heart diseases, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, some types of cancer, sleep apnea and joint problems, as well as psychological problems that affect quality of life.
Emphasizing the importance of developing healthy eating habits, regular physical activity and getting enough sleep in order to prevent and manage obesity, Dr. Arıcı stated that individuals receiving support from professional health counselors and dietitians can help them achieve their personal health goals.
“Obesity is thought to be incurable, this is wrong”
Pointing out that wrong ideas about obesity prevail in the society, Dr. Arıcı said:
“Some wrong ideas are accepted as fact in the society. There are especially 3 basic ideas, it is very important to learn the truth of these. First of all, it is thought that obesity is only a personal problem. However, this is wrong. Obesity should be seen as a social health problem as it is affected by genetic and environmental factors. The second common misconception is that only calorie restriction is sufficient. However, the management of obesity involves not only limiting calorie intake but also a balanced and nutritious diet and regular exercise. Another misconception is that obesity cannot be treated. On the contrary; obesity is a treatable and manageable condition. It can be effectively managed with healthy lifestyle changes and medical treatment methods.”
Dr. Arıcı mentioned that various campaigns and training programs are organized to raise public awareness about obesity and make healthy lifestyle choices, and gave important information about current treatment approaches.
Underlining that one of the cornerstones in the treatment of obesity is for individuals to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle, Dr. Arıcı said: “Personalized nutrition plans and regular exercise programs are critical for weight loss and overall health improvement. Individual counseling services provided by nutritionists and dietitians increase the effectiveness of this process.”
Stating that the drugs used in obesity treatment have become more effective and safe in recent years, Dr. Arıcı explained that the new generation anti-obesity drugs are aimed at controlling appetite and improving metabolism.
Referring to the fact that surgical intervention can be an effective option in severe obesity cases, Dr. Arıcı stated that today's bariatric surgery methods include techniques such as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and standing surgery, and that these methods support weight loss by restricting stomach capacity or reducing absorption.
Dr. Arıcı added that advanced technologies use minimally invasive and robotic methods in bariatric surgeries, which improve the quality of life of patients by offering faster recovery times and less risk of complications.
Psychological support is important in obesity treatment
Pointing out that psychological support and behavioral therapies also play an important role in the treatment of obesity, Dr. Arıcı said, “Methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) offer strategies to change food and body perception, thus supporting the weight loss process. In addition, research and clinical trials on obesity treatment contribute to the development of new treatment options. Genetic research paves the way for personalized treatment approaches and supports the discovery of new drugs and treatment methods.”
