Studies show that obesity among the world’s adult population is on the rise, it has tripled since 1975 – and Kenyans are no exception. This alarming trend affects urban dwellers more, where the modern lifestyle is seen as one of the main causes of increasing obesity.
The most affected group are women. The World Health Organization (WHO) said thatKenyan women are the 9th most overweight in Africa, while a study by KNBS found that over 40% of women aged between 30 and 49 try to battle obesity on a daily basis.
A change of lifestyle from agrarian to urban norms, less physical activity, unhealthy eating habits (think fast foods) and lack of knowledge on how to lose weight in a healthy and safe manner all contribute to this public health issue.
The majority of the Kenyan population is not aware of the health risks associated with carrying extra kilos either. If not treated in time, being overweight or obese can cause high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, chronic back pain, and in some cases even infertility. Furthermore, psychological consequences like low self-esteem or depression are also more likely to occur – at times, these are even more likely effects than somatic diseases. With rising health costs, all of these health risks can add up to hundreds of thousands in shillings that have to be spent on medical complications that could have been avoided if tackled earlier.
BodyMass Index, or BMI, is a measure used for indicating adults’ nutritional status. It is defined as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by their height squared in meters. It is said that a BMI between 18-25 is healthy, between25-30 it is overweight, and over 30 is considered obese. The higher your BMI, the greater risks you have of developing additional diseases.
However, if taken care of by medical professionals, obesity can be treated just like any other disease. If you consider multiple factors that can cause obesity, for example genetics, metabolism, lifestyle, diet, psychological factors, then it is easier to both lose weight and keep it off in the long-term. The end result of all this work for you? A healthier, more enjoyable life in which you can be there for the moments that matter – from attending your children’s graduation ceremonies to treating them to dinner for landing their first jobs.
Weight loss options should avoid…
1. For quick help, many turn to weight loss tea or pills– but they are wrong to do so. These products can actually cause side effects and even if they help you lose some excess weight, they will not work in the long term. It is basically money down the drain.
2. Another common weight loss method is following different diets, for example a fasting diet plan. If you would like to lose just a few kilos, this might work, but in the long term it is not going to work. Studies show that the more you are dieting or fasting, the faster and more weight you will gain in future.
And what you should try…
Psychotherapy for Extra Weight and Bariatric Procedures, all depend on the stage of your obesity.
3. While still new to Africa, bariatric surgery has become a popular weight-loss method – and for the obese, it has become the most effective procedure. Bariatric surgery refers to various stomach-related surgeries, including gastric balloon, gastric bypass, or gastric sleeve. These methods help one lose weight either by reducing the area where food is digested, thus taking up less calories, or by making one feel fuller even after eating smaller meals. This, combined with psychotherapy, is a unique and lasting solution for weight issues.
In East Africa, the pioneers of this method are the doctors of Nairobi BariatricCenter – Holistic Living. They provide unparalleled world-class services in this medical sector across the region. At their clinic, each gastric surgery is combined with lifestyle coaching, during which patients learn about healthy eating habits, provided a metabolism stimulating diet and fitness plan, and guaranteed a 5-year post-surgery follow-up period. This way the doctors make sure that their patients lose weight and also learn how to keep their ideal, healthy shape for a lifetime.
Dr.Shchukin, the surgeon of the Nairobi Bariatric Center, has gone through weight loss surgery himself – so during the consultation you can meet someone who has both professional and personal experience on the long-term benefits of weight loss.
Make sure your weight does not come between you and your quality of life – health comes first!