By Alexandra Solomon – Accredited Practising Dietitian
Did you know that today is World Obesity Day?
In Australia, 2 in 3 adults (67%) are living with overweight or obesity (1), with a staggering 80% of adults predicted to be obese by the year 2025 (2). Overweight and obesity is also the second leading risk factor contributing to poor health and death, linked to 30 diseases including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and more (1).
Contrary to popular belief, obesity is not simply a matter of “poor willpower”, but instead a complex condition influenced by many factors, including race and culture, genes, socioeconomic status and medical conditions, just to name a few. (2) Not only are the causes of obesity complex, but weight loss itself is not easy for most! In fact, the regulation of our body weight is very carefully controlled by efficient homeostatic mechanisms that work to PREVENT weight loss (2). So…how do we lose weight and keep it off?
Unsurprisingly, the initial approach to weight loss includes an emphasis on healthy eating, a reduced calorie intake and an increase in physical activity. In addition, psychological therapies to support behaviour change may also be beneficial. (2) However, if there is limited success with a lifestyle approach, intensive interventions can be considered, including Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCDs), pharmacotherapy e.g. Ozempic, or bariatric procedures.
But, what are bariatric procedures?
Bariatric procedures, in particular bariatric surgeries, are the most effective treatments for obesity when it comes to both achieving and maintaining significant weight loss (3). Bariatric procedures include non surgical interventions such as gastric balloons (e.g. Spatz3 Adjustable Gastric Balloon, Orbera and Allurion Balloons) and Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG), and surgical interventions e.g. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB), Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) and Roux En Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB).
How much weight can you lose with a bariatric procedure?
When it comes to gastric balloons an average weight loss of 14-18% total body weight (TBW) e.g. 14-18kg for someone 100kg, while an ESG or surgery (LAGB, LSG and RYGB) can see an average weight loss of 20-35% TBW e.g. 20-35 kg for someone 100kg. The amount of weight loss varies depending on the person and the procedure type they choose.
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- Buchwald H, Ikramuddin S, Dorman RB, Schone JL, Dixon JB. Management of the metabolic/bariatric surgery patient. Am J Med 2011;124:1099–105
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