What should people with obesity eat?

Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Patients with obesity, due to excessive caloric intake, experience accumulation of fat in the body, leading to overweight. Obesity can cause many dangers, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, etc., so it is important to control your diet. The correct way for diabetic patients to eat is to avoid high-calorie, high-fat foods, such as fat-rich animal products and animal viscera, avoid high-calorie sugary drinks and high-sugar fruits, and try to eat low-calorie, high-fiber vegetables.

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The causes of obesity

Obesity can be classified into primary and secondary obesity according to its causes. Primary obesity, also known as simple obesity, is the most common type among various forms of obesity. It is mainly caused by poor dietary habits such as overeating, especially excessive intake of fatty foods, and a sedentary lifestyle, rather than being secondary to other diseases. Secondary obesity, on the other hand, is often due to diseases of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, hypercortisolism, hypofunction of the thyroid or gonads, insulinomas, and other diseases. Secondary obesity is mainly due to diseases, and it can show some symptoms of the underlying disease.

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Surgical treatment of obesity

Surgical treatment for obesity is applicable under certain conditions. This requires the obesity to reach a specific level, defined by indicators such as a BMI of over 35, and in the absence of severe diabetes or complications associated with diabetes. Considering surgical interventions for weight loss, these primarily involve bariatric surgeries like gastric bypass or gastroenterostomy which reduce food intake and absorption, thereby decreasing calorie absorption to achieve weight loss. While the effects of surgical weight loss are generally quite good, it can lead to some long-term postoperative complications, so careful consideration is required.

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What department do you see for obesity?

The preferred specialty is endocrinology and metabolism because obesity itself is a metabolic disease. Besides the commonly known simple obesity, there is also a type called secondary obesity. The distinction between the two is that in simple obesity, the body does not suffer from any other disease; weight gain is merely caused by unscientific diet, irregular lifestyle, and lack of exercise, which can be resolved through some scientific methods. Another type is called secondary obesity, such as a common disease in endocrinology called Cushing's syndrome. It is caused by a tumor or hyperplasia in the pituitary or adrenal glands, or other reasons that lead to an excessive secretion of cortisol in the blood, consequently causing a redistribution of body fat, leading to moon face, buffalo hump, and accumulation of subcutaneous fat in the abdomen. Common in endocrinology, hypothyroidism can also lead to weight gain. This requires endocrinology specialists to diagnose and identify the specific condition in order to provide appropriate treatment.

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Harms of Obesity

In the case of obesity, it is first necessary to distinguish between physiological obesity and pathological obesity. For pathological obesity, further examination of the adrenal glands is required, such as respiratory syndrome, some problems with the pituitary gland, or conditions caused by Cushing's syndrome, all of which can lead to pathological obesity. The risks associated with obesity are quite significant. Firstly, it directly causes disturbances in the body's energy metabolism, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or other issues. Obesity can also lead to fatty liver, lipid deposition in the heart, kidneys, and other organs, resulting in corresponding organ damage. Additionally, it can cause infertility due to the deposition of fat in the ovaries, and in terms of joints, it places excessive load on the human joints, leading to various joint diseases, and consequently increasing the risks of cardiovascular diseases and sudden death risks.

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What department should I go to for obesity?

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease that belongs to the field of endocrinology, so the first choice for early-stage obesity is to see an endocrinologist. Some hospitals also have specialized weight management departments, which are also an option for consultation. When obesity is accompanied by other serious comorbid conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure, in addition to seeing an endocrinologist, it is also necessary to visit the cardiology department. If there is concomitant osteoarthritis, a visit to the orthopedics department is needed. Women suffering from menstrual irregularities or infertility should consult with a gynecologist. In summary, obesity is a disease that can cause multiple metabolic abnormalities and damage multiple systems, requiring early prevention and treatment.