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Obesity or being overweight, increases your risk of developing various health problems, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Even a modest amount of weight loss can help to reduce your increased health risks. The best chance of losing weight and keeping the weight off, is to be committed to a change in lifestyle. This includes eating a healthy diet and doing some regular physical activity.

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As an individual you can determine if your obese or overweight by calculating the body mass index (BMI).

To calculate your BMI, you divide your weight (in kilograms) by the square of your height (in metres).

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There are different categories of obesity as follows:

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Ideal (normal) BMI is 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2.

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A BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m2 is overweight.

A BMI of 30-34.9 kg/m2 is obese (Grade I).

A BMI of 35-39.9 kg/m2 is obese (Grade II).

A BMI of ≥40 kg/m2 is obese (Grade III) or morbidly obese.

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BMI is a good indicator of how much of your body is made up of fat. However, BMI may be less accurate in very muscular people. This is because muscle weighs heavier than fat.

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Obesity can also affect your overall life expectancy: Studies have shown that you are significantly more likely to die younger if you have a BMI of 35 or more. According to 2021 government reports, in England:

59 out of every 100 women were overweight or obese.

69 out of every 100 men were overweight or obese.

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This means that most people living in England are obese or overweight and this has been a continuing trend for the last 30 years.

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Causes of Obesity

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Consuming excess calories which are stored in the body as fat

Diet and lifestyle factors contribute to development of obesity and becoming overweight such as eating large amounts of processed or fast food, drinking too much alcohol, eating larger portions than you need, drinking too many sugary drinks.

​Genetic factors

​Medical conditions such as underactive thyroid.

Medications, such as steroids

Lack of physical activity.

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What can help with weight loss?

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Healthy balanced diet

Increasing physical activity levels

Being careful about what you drink

Help and support, through weight loss groups.

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Treatment 

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Medication can be prescribed to individuals wanting to lose weight in combination with diet and exercise

The following medications are licensed in the UK for weight loss.

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Semaglutide (Wegovy)

Liraglutide (Saxenda)

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)

Mysimba

Orlistat

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Our clinicians can assist with weight loss and prescribe medication if needed. Before a video consultation, a pre-consultation assessment is required, along with the following prerequisites:

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• Valid weight measurement

• Valid height measurement

All consultations are conducted via real-time video call.