Ten years ago when I was passionate about obesity as a disease, I was sold out on the Sibutramines and the Rimonabants of the world. While those "great ones" were laid to waste by concerns of harm than good, I have become wiser, recognising the social contribution to a problem which I no longer call a disease but a self-inflicted impediment, a social evil if you may, that clamours for early attention lest it produces a more real medical problem as a complication, that will drain further resources from a cash-strapped health system.
I don't believe in the acamprosates and niquitins and naloxones of this world. I don't believe in pumping in insulin till there is no more insulin left in the pharmacy. I have realised that I cannot continue to medicalise a social problem. The disease obesity does not exist. Diseases exist due to obesity I agree. So where do we go from here? Do we get interested when a person has developed a complication due to obesity but no earlier? Difficult decision if the treatment for the complication is to be given free of charge from the public pocket, since we cannot afford to treat the complications that are in store for us if current obesity trends continue. So prevention is key, no doubt. Are there drugs to prevent obesity? Afraid not. Back to good eating and exercise folks. I am amazed how obese patients go from pillar to post to find something that "works for them". I do sympathise with them to a huge extent. I used to thank my lucky stars that I do not have to deal with obesity myself. Such thoughts tend to end up with an introspection as to why I did not show a strong tendency towards obesity. I attribute it to the massive sports participation that I undertook in my youth.
In recent times I see that middle age, ipads, and dominos have not helped. I find myself fighting a battle with my tummy, trying to revert my weight to that of ten years ago by trying to lose the 10 kilograms that I have accrued over a mere three years. I am realistic. I know what caused it. I have lost 6 kilograms over a 4 month period by merely reducing my pizza, rice and desserts intake. I bought myself a treadmill and ran 20 minutes daily. I have made significant savings not having to give away all my trousers and instead managing to keep to the same dress size. I still allow myself the occasional pizza but I respect it, so that I can enjoy it for longer. Deep inside, I wonder, if I had not made that decision at this stage at least, would it have been too far gone for me to do anything about it? Perhaps yes. Every day, to be motivated to run on the treadmill like a mindless hamster on wheel, has been a huge effort. I have always believed in saying, "Don't exercise, Play" . Social pressures have made it impossible for me to "play" and hence the conveyor belt at home. But it works. We all know it works. If you say exercise makes me gain weight, exercise makes me feel unwell, well, I think you are one of those who are still waiting for obesity medications.
I don't believe in the acamprosates and niquitins and naloxones of this world. I don't believe in pumping in insulin till there is no more insulin left in the pharmacy. I have realised that I cannot continue to medicalise a social problem. The disease obesity does not exist. Diseases exist due to obesity I agree. So where do we go from here? Do we get interested when a person has developed a complication due to obesity but no earlier? Difficult decision if the treatment for the complication is to be given free of charge from the public pocket, since we cannot afford to treat the complications that are in store for us if current obesity trends continue. So prevention is key, no doubt. Are there drugs to prevent obesity? Afraid not. Back to good eating and exercise folks. I am amazed how obese patients go from pillar to post to find something that "works for them". I do sympathise with them to a huge extent. I used to thank my lucky stars that I do not have to deal with obesity myself. Such thoughts tend to end up with an introspection as to why I did not show a strong tendency towards obesity. I attribute it to the massive sports participation that I undertook in my youth.
In recent times I see that middle age, ipads, and dominos have not helped. I find myself fighting a battle with my tummy, trying to revert my weight to that of ten years ago by trying to lose the 10 kilograms that I have accrued over a mere three years. I am realistic. I know what caused it. I have lost 6 kilograms over a 4 month period by merely reducing my pizza, rice and desserts intake. I bought myself a treadmill and ran 20 minutes daily. I have made significant savings not having to give away all my trousers and instead managing to keep to the same dress size. I still allow myself the occasional pizza but I respect it, so that I can enjoy it for longer. Deep inside, I wonder, if I had not made that decision at this stage at least, would it have been too far gone for me to do anything about it? Perhaps yes. Every day, to be motivated to run on the treadmill like a mindless hamster on wheel, has been a huge effort. I have always believed in saying, "Don't exercise, Play" . Social pressures have made it impossible for me to "play" and hence the conveyor belt at home. But it works. We all know it works. If you say exercise makes me gain weight, exercise makes me feel unwell, well, I think you are one of those who are still waiting for obesity medications.