Prevention and treatment of obesity - an overview
Afridi, A.K.; Mohammad Siddique; Mahpara Safdar; Alam Khan
Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 3(5): 310-317
2004
Document Number: 260553
This paper reviews the various therapies used for the treatment and control of obesity, namely dietary, exercise, behaviour, combination and drug therapies. The common therapeutic diets are: low calorie diet (LCD), which provides 800-1500 kcal of energy daily; very low calorie diet (VLCD), which provides 250-800 kcal of energy daily; and energy-restricted or hypocaloric diet (HCD), which is based on a person's estimated daily energy requirement. LCDs can reduce total body weight by an average of 8% and help reduce abdominal fat content over a period of approximately 6 months. VLCDs are not recommended for weight reduction therapy because the deficits are too great and nutritional inadequacies will occur unless VLCDs are supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Regular exercise/physical activity should be an integral part of weight loss therapy and weight maintenance. A daily regimen of 30-45 minutes of walking, bicycling or working around the house conveys physical activity's positive effects on the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine systems, reduces risk of premature mortality, coronary heart disease, hypertension, colon cancer and diabetes. Exercise should be initiated slowly, and the intensity should be increased gradually; starting from small tasks of daily living such as taking the stairs or walking or swimming at a slow pace leading to the more strenuous activities like brisk walking, cycling, exercise, rope jumping and jogging. Behaviour therapy provides methods for overcoming barriers to compliance with dietary and exercise therapies. Combined intervention of an LCD, increased physical activity and behaviour therapy provide the most successful therapy for weight reduction and weight maintenance. The Islamic way of life (directional eating) and lifestyle (worship schedule) is the most efficient method to prevent and control obesity and is one of the best example of combination of diet and exercise therapies. Pharmacotherapy or medication should be the last approach for obesity control.