Chronic Conditions
Obesity 
What is obesity?
Obesity is a condition that occurs when excessive fat deposits accumulate in specific bodily regions. Obesity is a condition defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over. A BMI higher than 40 is labelled morbidly obese.
There exist different categories of obesity, such as the following:
- Class 1 equates to obesity levels of a BMI of 30
- Class 2 is a BMI of 35
- Class 3 is a BMI of 40+
What are the signs of obesity?
The signs of obesity are due to the mechanical effects of the accumulation of excessive body fat. There’s a major difference between acquiring extra weight and putting on excessive amounts of weight that place increased pressure on the joints and overall skeletal structure.
- Trouble sleeping
- Sleep apnoea
- Drowsiness during the day
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Lower back pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
How do you diagnose obesity?
Gerard Thomas will measure your waist circumference, height and weight during a physical assessment. Furthermore, he will inquire about your medications, underlying medical conditions and weight fluctuations. He will also ask about your exercise routine and sleeping and eating patterns.
In addition, Gerard Thomas may assess the extent of body fat through the following measures:
- A skinfold thickness test utilises a skinfold calliper.
- Comparison of hip-to-waist ratio
- Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) is used to check for metabolic bone disorders, obesity and sarcopenia.
How do you treat obesity?
Following completion of your health profile, Gerard Thomas will form a comprehensive, individualised healthcare plan. Gerard Thomas will decide to implement the following in your treatment plan:
- Healthy changes to your dietary plan involve reducing portion sizes or consuming small snacks between larger meals.
- Increased physical activity promotes weight loss and maintains a healthy body weight.
- Behavioural therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, is critical to your weight loss These therapeutic interventions work by rewiring the brain to control your appetite.
- Natural Medications are also prescribed to assist with the metabolic process.
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