How do I know that I am at a healthy weight?
This depends on your overall health and your height and weight. Your weight and height are used to calculate your BMI. This is the body mass index. Based on these calculations you could have a BMI under 18.5, this would mean being underweight. BMI 18.5 and 24.9 is a healthy weight. Over weight individuals have a BMI between 25 and 29.9. Obese individuals are those with BMI 30 or greater.
How does my weight affect my health?
Being obese increases the risk of many diseases. People with obesity are more likely to get diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and many other health problems. People with obesity have a lower life expectancy than those with healthy weight. Hence it is important to try to keep your weight in a healthy range.
What if I don’t lose weight in spite of dietary restrictions and regular exercise?
Your doctor in such circumstances may recommend certain weight loss medication. These medications work either by reducing your appetite or by changing the way you digest food if your BMI is 30 or greater or have a BMI between 27 and 29.9 and also have weight-related medical problems, such as diabetes, heart, disease, or high blood pressure. Your doctor can certainly prescribe you medications for weight loss.
What are the common medications prescribed for weight loss?
Certain medications that were initially used for treating diabetes can also help with weight loss in people without Diabetes. These are Tirzepatide, also known as Sepbound or Mounjaro, Semaglutide also known as Wegovy or Ozempic, or Liraglutide available in India quite freely. Orlistat is a weak orally administered anti-obesity drug.lt interferes with fat absorption.
How are these medications administered?
Most of these are available as injections and are given under the skin. They are given daily or weekly depending on the medicine.
Are these medications safe? Most of these medications are safe.
are safe. They have a few side effects that are not serious. Your doctor will select the correct medication for you. Presently the most effective seems to be Tripeptide. This can lead to a weight loss upto 20%. this is an injectable drug. The best option depends on your health profile, cost, convenience, and any existing medical conditions
Author: Dr Jay Deshmukh
Dr Jay Deshmukh is Chief Physician and Director, Sunflower Hospital, Nagpur Honorary Physician to Honorable Governor of Maharashtra and PondicherryCentral. Dr Jay Deshmukh is an M.B.B.S., M.C.P.S., F.C.P.S., M.N.A.M.S., MD From Internal Medicine – Bombay and New Delhi.
