Obesity has become an epidemic in the USA. One in three people in the country is overweight. It is partially due to the easy availability of cheap junk food, and partly due to the sedentary lifestyle most people choose these days. Anyone with a BMI (body mass index) between 25 and 30 are overweight. Now, all overweight people are obese. A person is obese only when his or her BMI is above 30.
Overweight people are subjects of cruel jokes, pranks, and humiliations across popular media and even in real life. It is not only difficult to find clothes they like, but it is also challenging to go through one day without someone commenting on their body. Obesity is not a choice. It is a chronic condition that can arise from several physiological complications. Being obese has nothing to do with a person’s activity level or dietary preferences. Sometimes, obesity can be a side-effect of diabetes, steroidal medication for pain management or hormonal disorders that arise from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOD). If you are experiencing something similar, it might be time for you to take a step forward.
How do weight loss and diet prescription medication work?
Lifestyle changes might not be enough to control body fat percentage. Your doctor can prescribe diet weight control or weight loss medication for aiding the weight loss process. The most common diet and weight loss prescriptions help people feel full sooner, or reduce the fat absorption and storing mechanism of the body. There are hundreds of medications that can help you lose weight, but all of them work differently. A doctor is most likely to consider the following while prescribing medications for treating obesity –
- 1) The side effects of the medicine
- 2) The benefits of weight loss
- 3) Other benefits by addressing current health issues arising from obesity
- 4) Existing medical conditions and the medication you might be taking for them
- 5) The medical history of your family
- 6) The cost of the weight-loss pills
Who can get weight loss medicines?
These weight-loss drugs aren’t for everyone with a weight management problem. If the doctor sees your weight management issue as a product of your lifestyle, you might receive diet advice and exercise charts instead of these medications. These medicines are especially common for those –
- a) With a BMI above 30
- b) With a BMI lower than 27, but having chronic heart issues, high blood pressure or Type 2 Diabetes.
You must also know that the FDA has approved most adult medications for weight loss. There are only a few selected compounds that are ideal for treating obesity in children including orlistat.
Steps to take to remain healthy
Medications cannot replace physical activity or healthy eating habits. Sometimes, morbid obesity makes it difficult for people to work out or even eat in healthy quantities. These medicines can help them lose some weight that can enable them to adopt an active lifestyle with daily exercises and home-cooked meals. Do not forget to ask your healthcare professional about lifestyle management and weight management programs that will suit your needs.