Dispelling Myths About Obesity: Beyond the ‘Eat Less, Exercise More’ Approach

By Dr Amey Sanjiv Thakur

Pune, 4th March 2024: In a paradigm shift from traditional perspectives on obesity, the prevailing notion that weight management merely involves eating less and exercising more is being challenged by experts in the field. Obesity is increasingly recognized as a complex condition influenced by a myriad of factors, including genetics, biology, metabolism, behavior, society, economy, and culture. Renowned professionals caution against the belief that diets alone can conquer the battle against excess weight, asserting that the diet industry’s $66 billion-a-year promises often lead to detrimental effects on individuals’ emotional and physical well-being.

As misconceptions surrounding obesity persist, a closer look is warranted to unravel the truths and complexities that shape the narrative of weight management.

Misconception 1: People just need to eat less and exercise more.
Obesity is no longer considered an issue caused by overeating and a lack of self-control, but a complex condition resulting from multiple genetic, biologic, metabolic, behavioral, social, economic and cultural factors. When people lose weight through dieting alone, the body compensates through biological changes, including increased appetite and slower metabolism. Unfortunately, these biological changes often persist long term, which explains why people often regain weight even beyond their starting point. I advise my patients that people don’t fail at diets; diets fail people. Unfortunately, the diet industry is a $66 billion-a-year industry that continues to promise results to the detriment of peoples’ emotional and physical health.

Misconception 2: Bariatric surgery is dangerous.
While any surgery poses certain risks, the risk of death from surgery is considerably less for bariatric patients than for individuals affected by severe obesity who have not had the surgery. In fact, the data show up to an 89 percent reduction in mortality, as well as highly significant decreases in mortality rates due to specific diseases, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease. After bariatric surgery, you may be able to decrease or discontinue medications for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure.

Misconception 3: Bariatric surgery will make me thin.
Expected weight loss varies with the type of surgery ( SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY,MINI GASTRIC BYPASS OR RYGB ) , and your starting weight, age, gender, physical activity and medical condition. You typically will lose 30–65 percent of excess body weight, but making long-term changes in your diet and exercise routine can exceed that average. Our bariatric team views your success in terms of improved health, lifestyle changes, mobility and quality of life. Most weight loss occurs in the first year after surgery, and it is common for you to regain a small portion of your weight before stabilizing. However, it is possible for patients to gain their weight back after surgery if they do not comply with healthy eating habits and regular exercise.

Misconception 4: Bariatric surgery and weight loss will make me happy and improve my relationships.
While weight loss does provide the opportunity to have a higher quality of life, it is not a magic wand for happiness or resolving personal issues. Family plays a very important role and their support is of utmost importance . Misconception 5: Bariatric surgery will keep me from overeating. Temporarily, bariatric surgery can create changes in brain biochemistry to reduce cravings for sugar and make eating sweets less rewarding after surgery. This does not happen for everyone, however, and bariatric surgery will not cure binge eating, bulimia or compulsive/emotional overeating disorders. Eating disorders are assessed prior to entry into the program and, at times, can be treated while preparing for surgery.

Misconception 6: Bariatric surgery is the easy way out.
As a patient once stated, “Anyone who thinks this is the easy way out should understand what we go through.” If you are considering this procedure, preparation is often around four to six months. Assessments and appointments with doctors, a dietician and exercise physiologist is benerally required . After surgery, it is important you follow a scheduled food and fluid intake, continue with exercise and other lifestyle changes . It is rewarding to hear patients report they have increased energy to interact with their family , confidence to engage in social activities, the ability to buy clothes in a regular store, and that they no longer feeling dread or panic every time they go somewhere that there may not be a chair they fit in etc . Bariatric surgery, along with commitment to lifestyle change, not only provides long-term weight loss, but it significantly improves health and quality of life for many.