Weight Loss- Myths & Realities

What is Obesity?

(click here to check your BMI using our on-line calculator)

For some, obesity is a disorder of appetite regulation

Patients with obesity frequently report being hungry all the time, or need big meals to feel satisfied. Hunger is regulated by the Hypothalamus- the part of the brain that controls the body’s metabolic mechanisms.

It is thought that the hunger-regulating part of the hypothalamus does not function correctly in people with obesity- it continues to stimulate hunger and food desire all the time, even when your body has plenty of energy reserves. Perhaps it is like the low-fuel warning light in a car constantly flickering on even though you’ve just filled the tank. This is frequently genetic, and promotes both overeating and poor food choices, and over time leads to obesity.

Another important observation is that people who are constantly hungry often seem drawn toward foods that are rich in calories. Such foods are often high in sugar and fat, such as chocolate, fried foods, and sweets. Treatment is highly effective by using appetite control procedures such as either the gastric band or sleeve.

For others, overeating is emotional

Comfort eating by turning to food to cope with stress, anxiety and low mood is very common. Chocolate, ice-cream, lollies and chips are usually used as they give a temporary 'hit'. Psychologists believe that we are programmed from birth to be soothed by food- we have all seen the way a baby stops crying when put on the breast. Sometimes a serious or traumatic life event may trigger a person to revert back to using food to help feel better. Of course we all know that this doesn't really work logically, and often we might actually feel worse about ourselves after an episode of comfort eating. However emotions can be very powerful and at times control our actions.

Fortunately emotional eating can be overcome. At OClinic we treat patients with a combination of regular individual and group psychological counselling combined with physically limiting the amount of food that can be consumed during emotional episodes using the Gastric Sleeve. (we feel the Gastric Band is not as effective for this type of eating disorder as it does not restrict the intake of high calorie soft foods by contrast to the sleeve)

Whatever the reason for one's obesity, doctors all agree it must be treated because of the health risks associated with being dangerously overweight. Click here to read about health risks, or click here to read about our treatment options.