Reframing our understanding of obesity
In order to effectively address obesity, it is important to recognise it as a chronic disease and approach it with a comprehensive framework. This includes reframing obesity to reduce stigma and foster a constructive patient-provider relationship. It also involves focusing on the broader aspects of health beyond weight or BMI, considering the physical, mental, and functional well-being of the patient. Effective obesity management requires a collaborative approach involving various healthcare professionals, such as dietitians, social workers, fitness and mental health specialists, and medical and surgical providers. Additionally, societal determinants of obesity, such as socioeconomic factors, must be taken into account to ensure equitable and effective care. With the rising prevalence of obesity, it is crucial for the medical community to embrace the implications of obesity as a chronic disease and meet the challenges it presents.
In conclusion, if health professionals were to treat obesity as a disease, like any other chronic disease such as diabetes, would we see different outcomes?
