Live lighter: Tatler and Novo Nordisk bring together 3 doctors to talk about weight management and wellness

Successful weight management, the panel stresses, is not dictated solely by what the number on the weighing scale says. This is an oversimplification and does not take into account the largely unmeasured benefits. “The number on the scale is just a headline,” Violago-Olivarez explains. “But more than that, it is also being aware of how different your body is depending on your life stage…What a 20-year-old needs to be healthy is very different from what a 60-year-old needs.”

Dr Esculto-Khan concurs, adding that the focus of weight management should be on its health benefits. In her consultations with patients, she always recommends methods that, when done, still enable them to live their day-to-day lives. “You should still be able to function properly,” she emphasises. “You will not feel that every day is suffering—you don’t need to overrestrict yourself.”

The latter is especially crucial. There are cases where sheer effort alone on the part of the patient is not enough. “You have to take into consideration [your] genetics, family history and lifestyle,” Violago-Olivarez remarks. When this happens, one should consider having an open dialogue with an expert. “It’s not going to a principal’s office,” she reassures. “It’s getting to know more about yourself deeply and being able to take control of your health better with the guidance of an expert.” These conversations are necessary to understand what treatments are needed for one’s particular case.

These assessments are only possible because of how far medical professionals have come in understanding weight-related issues. “Doctors are now more knowledgeable about the condition called obesity,” Sy notes. “It used to be a question of willpower; but now it’s classified by the World Health Organization as a disease.” This condition, therefore, is more the result of genetics and biological restraints rather than discipline being the sole determinant—though that’s not to say lifestyle changes aren’t needed. “You need to couple lifestyle modification with a pharmacological approach for the [weight] management to be sustainable,” Esculto-Khan clarifies. The patient should also frequently see their doctors for follow-up consults to ensure that their regimen is being followed safely, properly and correctly.

A question and answer session cleared up some misconceptions and clarified a few muddy details regarding weight management treatments. “We all know how to start the treatment, but there are no significant or particular guidelines yet on how to stop,” Violago-Olivarez explains. But knowing which treatment is the right one—and what factors to consider—are a different question entirely. “The effectiveness of the drug and its safety are the two things we need to consider before prescribing the medication,” Sy explains. “Second, we have to make sure that we individualise the care of our patient. What is good for Patient A might not be effective for Patient B. It has to be appropriate for the patient’s medical condition first, and then consider their preferences and goals.”

The evening’s message was clear: there is no one-size-fits-all approach for health and weight management. A combination of lifestyle modifications, medical treatment and expert consultation is needed, in addition to a deeper understanding of one’s biology and long-term goals. More than arbitrary things like discipline, equipping oneself with the knowledge and confidence to seek expert advice can lead to living lighter, healthier lives.

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