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Tribune News Network
Doha
DR Marwa Gomaa Hussein Mokhtar, a consultant at the Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI), said most patients seeking non-surgical weight loss solutions at Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) National Obesity Treatment Center (NOTC) can achieve a healthy body weight within six to 12 months of entering a weight loss programme.
The NOTC, which functions under QMI, delivers holistic, multidisciplinary care for patients seeing medical and surgical management of obesity and the prevention of weight-related diseases. Since opening, over 4,700 patients have benefited from the centre's services.
Located in Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City, patients are normally referred to the NOTC from other HMC outpatient clinics, including the National Diabetes Centers and obstetrics and gynaecology departments, as well as from primary healthcare centres.
Staffed by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, dieticians, educators and physiotherapists, all patients referred to the Center undergo a comprehensive clinical evaluation in advance of a personalised weight loss treatment plan being developed.
According to Dr Mokhtar, not all patients are candidates for surgical weight loss procedures and some patients who do meet the clinical standards that qualify them for surgical weight loss choose a non-surgical solution. She said that while all weight loss programmes offered at the NOTC emphasise lifestyle modifications, highlighting adjustments to the types and quantities of foods consumed and the incorporation of physical activity goals, patients who seek non-surgical solutions tend to need extra support with setting realistic goals.
Dr Mokhtar said the causes of obesity are complex, noting there may be many interrelated factors, such as genetics, lifestyle, diet, underlying health conditions and how an individual's body uses energy.
Generally, a healthy weight among individuals aged 20 or over is defined as a BMI equal to or greater than 19 and less than 25, and a BMI of 40 or more is used to identify people who are"extremely obese".
"Establishing an action plan to modify unhealthy behaviours is an essential component of setting realistic weight loss targets. Staff at the NOTC work with patients to help them make simple changes that can have a big impact, like substituting foods high in sugar and fat with healthier alternatives, incorporating more exercise into their day, taking weight-loss medications when appropriate, and being more mindful of the foods they are consuming by keeping a food diary," Dr Mokhtar said.
She added that the NOTC's mission is to identify individuals who fall into the obese category and motivate them to lose weight to prevent weight-related diseases.
