Why dieting alone may not be enough for weight loss - experts explain obesity complexities
Health experts in Ghana are emphasizing that obesity is a complex medical condition that requires professional intervention rather than just dieting. They warn that factors like hormonal imbalances and metabolic issues make weight management difficult and advise against using weight-loss treatments without medical supervision.
Why it matters
As obesity rates rise globally, shifting the narrative from cosmetic concern to medical condition is essential for effective public health policy and patient safety.
Experts in weight management have urged Ghanaians to treat obesity as a serious medical condition rather than simply a cosmetic concern or a problem that can be solved through dieting alone.
Speaking on the AM Show, physician specialist Dr. Rex Kwame Bonsu and nurse Ozwella Yeboah of Vitality Health 360 explained that obesity involves the excessive accumulation of dysfunctional fat tissue, which can affect the body’s biological, physical and metabolic functions.
Dr. Bonsu said obesity is linked to several non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and obstructive sleep apnoea, as well as certain cancers such as breast, endometrial and colorectal cancers.
He explained that obesity cannot be accurately determined simply by looking at a person, noting that health professionals assess factors such as weight and height and may calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI).
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