What is it about?

Existing evidence indicates that the best treatment model for obesity leading to significant weight loss consists of a so-called comprehensive lifestyle intervention program, but the offer, implementation, and coverage of these kinds of programs for the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of people living with obesity are limited. So, the aim of this study was an evaluation of the feasibility and effectiveness of a comprehensive care program for obesity in a public tertiary hospital in Mexico.

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Why is it important?

We describe a novel and feasible model for an effective, comprehensive, obesity care program within the Mexican public healthcare system. Frequent patient contact (4 to 6 visits during six months) and patient education can result in a weight loss of ≥5% in a substantial number of patients (40%), which has shown great health benefits. Similar care within the Mexican healthcare system might enhance the appropriate management of obesity.

Perspectives

An organizational restructuring of obesity care delivery must be a priority in Mexico. Improving education and training in the science and clinical management of obesity (effective advice on diet, physical activity, behavioral change, and medical and surgical therapy) among whole practice teams; use of multidisciplinary approaches; treatment of obesity as a chronic disease (challenging the misperception that obesity is self-inflicted); education regarding the harms of weight stigma; promotion of the initiation of helpful weight loss conversations earlier; and increased frequency of diagnosis, follow-up appointments, and referrals for effective evidence-based treatment may also help secure better funding streams for treatment services.

Verónica Vázquez Velázquez
Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán

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This page is a summary of: Feasibility and effectiveness of a comprehensive care program for people living with obesity. A real-world experience in a public hospital in Mexico, Obesity Facts, September 2022, Karger Publishers,
DOI: 10.1159/000527024.
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