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Obesity is more than just weight loss

Obesity is often misunderstood, surrounded by stigma at school, work and even within healthcare settings. Rethinking care involves viewing weight loss as just one of several outcomes of a holistic, personalised approach to health. This can enable people living with overweight or obesity to lead a life that focuses on taking care of their health, not just their weight loss.

Why is caring for overweight and obesity broader than weight loss?

Obesity is not just about weight gain. It is a chronic, relapsing condition that can put individuals at risk of more than 200 health complications including high blood pressure, joint pain, and depression. Therefore, effective overweight and obesity care shouldn’t be just about weight loss, but should also help to treat the health complications associated with excess weight.

How can good overweight and obesity care improve weight-related joint and mobility complications?

Impaired joint health is an example of a physical health complication that can be caused by overweight and obesity. Excess weight can increase the risk of osteoarthritis, a condition in which the cartilage between your bones breaks down. This may lead to stiff and sore joints which can affect mobility. As previously established, good overweight and obesity care goes beyond weight loss, and looks to reduce the amount of force or stress placed on a joint. This may help to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis in a person living with overweight or obesity, thereby improving their overall health.

How can good overweight and obesity care support mental health challenges linked to weight?

Mental health is often negatively impacted by weight-related stigma, leading to conditions such as depression and anxiety. In fact, one study reported that adolescents living with obesity have a 40% increased risk of developing depression. Mental health issues are sometimes ignored because they are mostly invisible. However, holistic weight management goes beyond the physical implications of overweight and obesity by recognising the important role of mental health and wellbeing in supporting overall health.

Rather than focusing only on weight-loss targets, good overweight and obesity care considers improvements across many areas of health, such as sleep quality, mood and self-esteem, which can be motivating markers of progress. For some people, support from a psychologist or other mental health professional may be a helpful part of a broader care team. Recognising and celebrating these milestones, with the right support, may help make the journey towards better health more achievable.

What does good overweight and obesity care look like?

Finding a good care plan often involves a collaborative effort with a healthcare team. This can include doctors, nurses, dietitians and psychologists. Together, they can help set a realistic weight management plan based on individualised health goals. Some evidence-based options that can help people living with overweight or obesity to proactively manage their health include:

By providing the right tools, support and guidance, good overweight and obesity care can help to improve the physiological, physical and mental health complications associated with weight. Reframing care as more than just weight loss – in the eyes of patients, healthcare professionals, and society – is a step toward ensuring those affected receive the care they deserve, free from bias and stigma.