Weight Loss

Obesity is a term used to describe the state of being very overweight generally with a body mass index of 30 or above. It is now a common condition in the UK, affecting around a quarter of adults and 1 in 5 children, usually within more affluent countries and areas within countries across the world.

Being severely overweight can lead to problems like breathlessness and back pain, and it can result in low self-esteem. It also has the potential to reduce life expectancy and is associated with an increased risk of a range of diseases, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol and certain types of cancer. Because of the dangers it poses, obesity is viewed as one of the leading public health concerns of modern times.

Some people have a genetic predisposition to gain too much weight, and certain medications plus underlying medical problems like an under-active thyroid or Cushing’s Syndrome can make someone more likely to be obese. In most cases though it is caused by a combination of consuming too many calories and doing too little exercise, especially if one has grown up in a family of unhealthy eaters as this same habit can develop into adulthood.

The energy in food is measured in calories and the healthy daily amount of calories for women is 2000 a day and for men, this is raised to about 2500. When the body takes in high amounts of energy from food through a poor diet and does not get to burn it off through at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week, then this excess is stored as fat in the body.

A poor diet could consist of:

• drinking sugary drinks
• high-calorie fast foods
• larger than required portions
• drinking too much alcohol.

Being overweight can cause distress and a severe lack of confidence in sufferers. One of the biggest benefits to weight loss can be psychological because, as self-esteem lifts, so too can a sense of depression, anxiety and embarrassment due to excess sweating or an inability to do certain physical activities, as well as generally feeling better about how you look.

In terms of the physical benefits for losing weight, there is any number of reasons for doing so including a longer, healthier, happier life.

Being overweight can put the sufferer in danger of heart and liver disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, complications with fertility and pregnancy, high blood pressure and certain cancers including bowel and breast and by losing weight, you are dramatically decreasing these risks from your life.

Weight loss is always associated with a change in lifestyle. Without developing new, healthier habits any weight we lose will inevitably be regained sooner or later. We need to incorporate physical exercise into our lives, even if this just means walking to work instead of getting a bus, or taking the stairs instead of a lift.

Finding a local exercise class, weight loss group or a personal trainer could really help you increase your weekly activity too. Finding a group of people to support you on your journey, or choosing to work with a trainer who has supported other clients to lose weight or one who has overcome obesity themselves, can be very psychologically beneficial. For some, it can difficult to go it alone - so looking for a safe place to get support, advice, inspiration and friendship can all help to bed in these lifelong changes.

Your GP can help you find support services on the NHS such as local authority run weight loss groups and referred exercise sessions with a qualified trainer.

As discussed, it is also important to tweak our diets. There is no set rule when trying to lose weight, but most obese people are advised to cut their energy intake by around 600 calories per day. The most effective way to do this is to substitute fatty and sugary foods for healthier options, including plenty of vegetables.

In addition, you could also book a free, confidential appointment online with a doctor at Click Pharmacy who can talk you through aiding your weight loss efforts by taking specialist medications and treatments.

Our range of weight loss treatments includes Orlistat, Alli and Xenical. All of these medicines contain the active ingredient orlistat, which acts as a lipase inhibitor to reduce the amount of fat your body absorbs from the foods you eat.

Xenical is the prescription strength version of Alli and would be prescribed by a doctor as part of an overall weight loss management plan for anyone with a BMI of 28 and at least 2 health risks factors or else anyone with a BMI of 30 or more. But whether you choose to use the non-prescription form or the higher strength versions, it is important to be aware that these drugs work best when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle changes.

To find out more about your treatment options, take a look around our website. You can also contact our medical experts or speak to your GP if you have any additional queries.

In some cases, exercising and restricting your food intake in order to lose weight does not work as well as one might think. Achieving your desired weight loss goal is a struggle and can take a lot of time. Body weight is affected by various different factors, which need to be considered when one is trying to lose weight. For instance, being over a certain BMI – which can be detrimental to your physical health – requires the assistance of prescription weight loss treatments, such as tested weight loss pills. Note that these pills are not supposed to be used as a standalone product since they are used to simply assist with the journey combined with other weight loss regimens.

One of the best weight loss treatments on the market is Orlistat 120 mg capsules. These capsules are clinically proven to help individuals lose unwanted weight and achieve a healthy weight.

Yes, having a certain BMI to qualify for the weight loss treatment is crucial. Weight loss treatments are only effective to an extent. The efficacy depends upon the individual's BMI. If you are overweight or obese, the weight loss treatment will be safe for you. In addition, you should also have a specific medical condition that directly influences your weight, such as diabetes.

If you are unaware of your BMI, you can use the NHS BMI calculator on their website.

Being overweight or obese can result in a wide variety of health issues that can interfere with your day-to-day life. For instance:

• Shortness of breath
• Excessive or abnormal sweating
• Increased fatigue
• Difficulty in performing physical activities
• Joint pain
• Back pain

An excess of weight can also put you at risk of certain health conditions like coronary heart disease, stroke, some types of cancer (breast and bowel cancer), as well as type 2 diabetes. The condition can further aggravate symptoms of existing health conditions, such as asthma. It can worsen mental health and self-esteem.