According to the National Health Screening Initiative (NHSI) conducted last year, 283,100 Malaysians (31.3%) were found to be overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of over 25kg/m². Another 22.2%, or 199,400 individuals, were obese with a BMI of more than 30kg/m².
In total, more than half (53.5%) of Malaysians screened under the NHSI were either overweight or obese.
What many might not be aware of is that obesity is a complex issue that requires professional attention for effective management. Healthcare experts, including doctors, pharmacists and dietitians, have long been working together to help individuals tackle obesity and its associated risks.
Timely and effective interventions can greatly improve one’s health and quality of life. With this in mind, here are four myths about obesity to help shed light on this weighty matter.
Myth 1: Obesity is largely due to a lack of willpower
Many believe obesity merely results from insufficient exercise and a sedentary lifestyle. While there may be some truth to this, it’s only a part of the overall picture.
Our body weight is homeostatically regulated and strongly influenced by our genes. With identical twins, for example, if one is thin, they will both generally be thin.
This means that, regardless of the type and amount of food we eat and the daily activities we engage in, our body physiology adapts and maintains our body weight to remain stable over time.
Myth 2: Obesity is described as ‘having a BMI greater than 30kg/m²’
Subsequent to the above, obesity is a disease triggered by genetic factors that disrupts regulation of body weight. In the long term, it can lead to many complications including heart diseases, diabetes, an increased risk of osteoarthritis, and lung complications.
As such, the health community is working to redefine what it means to be obese, and to advocate that it is more than just about numbers.
Genetics, diet, socioeconomic factors and other considerations must be made in defining “obesity” to present a more accurate and holistic picture of the condition, and to avoid misconceptions and stigma.
Myth 3: Obesity can be treated with exercise alone
While physical activity is important, obese individuals are encouraged to exercise not primarily to burn fat but to reduce the amount of muscle loss.
With moderate exercise, only a small proportion of our daily energy stores is used up. For instance, if a person jogs for 30 minutes or walks for an hour:
- Daily basal metabolic rate: 368 kg/hour x 24 hours = 8,832 kJ/day
- Jogging for 30 minutes: 3,075 kg/hour x 0.5 hour = 1,538 kJ/day
- Walking for 1 hour: 1,009 kg/hour x 1 hour = 1,009 kJ/day
Therefore, with lifestyle-based therapies, average weight loss might be 5-6kg. While this may be beneficial for certain overweight patients, in cases of obesity, it is insufficient.
Myth 4: There’s magic pill for weight loss
Again, obesity is a disease. And treating any disease involves multidisciplinary management and pharmacology, or the use of medication.
Currently, Malaysia has four approved anti-obesity drugs, namely liraglutide, phentermine, orlistat and bupropion/naltrexone. Use of such medication requires consultation and assessment with a physician to determine the 5Cs: contraindications, comorbidities, cues, combinations and cost .
In conclusion, here are four takeaways:
- Obesity is not merely about a lack of willpower; genetic factors play a crucial role.
- As obesity is a disease, early intervention reduces long-term complications.
- Exercise, while important, is insufficient in and of itself as a treatment for obesity.
- Like most chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, there’s no standardised regime for all; rather, individuals should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
This article was written for Alpro Pharmacy, a dedicated community pharmacy committed to providing opportunities, health, and guidance to anyone striving for a better life. Speak to their professional healthcare providers at 019-702 1923.
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