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Obesity: Specialists push to destigmatize disease to fight it
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Health & Science

Obesity: Specialists push to destigmatize disease to fight it

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Obesity and overweight affect 67.5% of adults in the Americas, making it the most affected region globally, according to the Pan American Health Organization.
  • Specialists emphasize that obesity is a complex, chronic disease requiring a comprehensive approach involving medical professionals, patients, society, and the pharmaceutical industry.
  • New medications can reduce weight by up to 22%, with future drugs expected to achieve 30% or more reduction, highlighting the need for long-term, chronic treatment alongside diet and exercise.

Obesity and overweight afflict 67.5% of adults in the Americas, a higher prevalence than anywhere else in the world, according to the Pan American Health Organization. The region also sees 37.6% of children and adolescents affected by these conditions. Specialists are urging a shift in perspective, advocating for the destigmatization of obesity to effectively combat it.

It is a complex disease, with multiple facets, it is not just a matter of mental control to eat less and exercise more. We are learning that it is a chronic disease that requires ongoing support.

— Bernardo GiralaBernardo Girala, general manager for Central America and the Caribbean at pharmaceutical company Adium, described obesity as a complex, chronic disease requiring comprehensive management.

Bernardo Girala, general manager for Central America and the Caribbean at pharmaceutical company Adium, organizer of the "Beyond Obesity" event, stressed that obesity is a complex, chronic disease. "It is not just a matter of mental control to eat less and exercise more. We are learning that it is a chronic disease that requires ongoing support," he told EFE. Girala emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach, involving doctors, patients, society, and the pharmaceutical industry, to address the issue and reduce patient blame.

Marcio Griebeler, director of the Obesity Center at Cleveland Clinic, noted that obesity was once viewed solely as a lifestyle issue. However, he explained that "over time" it has become clear that physiological changes make sustained weight loss extremely difficult. Griebeler advocates for treating obesity like other chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, requiring long-term management that includes diet, exercise, and medication.

over time it has become clear that physiological changes make sustained weight loss extremely difficult.

— Marcio GriebelerMarcio Griebeler, director of the Obesity Center at Cleveland Clinic, explained the evolving understanding of obesity as a condition influenced by physiological factors.

Advancements in pharmaceuticals offer significant hope. Drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide have shown success in reducing patient weight by up to 22%. With new medications in development, researchers anticipate achieving weight reductions of 30% or even more. Griebeler underscored the importance of sustained treatment, warning against halting therapy after initial significant weight loss, as this often leads to weight regain.

it is necessary to have chronic treatment

— Marcio GriebelerMarcio Griebeler advocated for treating obesity like other chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, requiring long-term management.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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