In Spain there is a health problem that particularly worries specialists: the obesity. Among the solutions proposed to reduce it, medications. In this sector, the endocrinologist Cristóbal Morales announces the arrival soon in Spain of two weight loss medications more powerful than Ozempic.
Obesity is a problem that many people suffer from and that is sometimes misunderstood and it is believed that patients who live with it do so because they “lack discipline” or “willpower.” However, scientific studies and experts have shown that this is not the case. From the Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity (SEEDO), we are working to break this vision of the disease that not only society has, but also healthcare professionals and nutritionists.
The media specialized in pharmacy and medicines, El Global, explains that a recent survey reflects that 63.7% of men and 48.4% of women in Spain are overweight. Specifically, the obesity affects the 19.3% of men and 18.0% of women. Experts warn that if this trend continues, it is likely that in 2035 the prevalence of severe obesity will affect 37% of the population of Spain. Of particular concern is how this affects children, since it is estimated that it will increase by 2.5% annually in the future.
The endocrine Cristobal Morales, from the Vithas hospital and the Alliance SEEDO, has spoken to Antena 3 Noticias about this disease and its possible solutions, especially whether or not these can be achieved through the medications now on the rise that promise to help with weight loss. Morales explains that Obesity is worrying in Spain “We are reaching figures of 1 in 2 people living with overweight and obesity.” Therefore, it is “a disease with capital letters and that has many biological, genetic, hormonal and social components.”
Many people who suffer from this pathology strive throughout their lives to cause weight loss without, in many cases, having the expected success. Therefore, the arrival of those medications that promise weight loss, have generated an increasingly growing interest, not only in society, but in the scientific field, where more and more drugs are seen that promise this loss of kilos.
Two new drugs for weight loss arrive in Spain
Ozempic and Saxsenda were medications used to treat diabetes and are now used to treat weight loss. This has been achieved through the discovery that, by reducing visceral fat, insulin resistance is reduced, sugar is normalized and fat is prevented from further generation. Therefore, it is now considered a medication that can be used with the goal of losing fat, although Cristóbal Morales corrects the term and points out that, In any case, it would help “gain in health”. “They are drugs that require medical control and monitoring”warns the expert who also points out that the arrival in Spain of two medications which are even more powerful, with “weight losses greater than 16% and 20%.” However, he does not fail to remember that “With great power comes great responsibility” and defends that “very responsible use must be made by very specialized and multidisciplinary units, so that this disease is treated not from an aesthetic aspect, but by accompanying the patient who lives with this obesity, helping him with this biological disease, knowing that it is a “a disease that lasts a lifetime.”
These drugs can help with weight loss, but taking them does not mean that you are adopting a healthy lifestyle. For this reason, Morales points out that obesity, being a chronic disease, presents many difficulties in eradicating it: “People come to the hospital center specialized in obesity and have been on a diet all their lives fighting to maintain a healthy life, but there is a genetic component. , hormonal, social or psychological that makes it difficult”, therefore, it is important to keep in mind that the drug can help with weight loss but that “If there is no change in lifestyle, there is a rebound effect” since it is important to know that “drugs are complements to a healthy lifestyle.”
Prevention: the key to a new way of looking at obesity
Cristóbal Morales introduces a new way of looking at obesity, and the doctor assures that in many cases “the zip code influences more than the genetic code.” In Spain, obesity is presented as a complex disease that Morales points out It can be avoided through prevention. Therefore, he talks about the 'Giro' guide, a project where we want to give a new vision to this disease: “we want the politicians help us, that we all agree because obesity begins in the womb.” That is why he defends the implementation in the country of “social and political measures” that can help a lot in prevention. “The key is early treatment, without forgetting to give a diagnosis with a lot of empathy, with a lot of science and adequate treatment,” but he insists that prevention is essential to achieve “different results”: “If we want different results we have to do different things”.
'Giro' guide, a new way of treating obesity
SEEDO (Spanish Obesity Society) explains that scientific evidence in recent years has shown that obesity is a chronic disease, extremely complex in its origins and with multiple factors (genetic, endocrinological, environmental, drug use, poor diet, etc.). The Society explains that it is important to ace that obesity “It is not a moral illness, it is not a vice nor does it indicate the patient's lack of will”. In fact, it is also noted that BMI, although it indicates size, does not indicate health, since it does not take into account factors such as fat distribution or the distinction between men and women.
For this reason, it is considered important “work on multiple fronts to achieve a paradigm shift that allows us to address this pathology”. It is noted that the authorities must “reflect on the need to implement effective measures to stop the growth of obesity rates” and this would be done through the “prevention” that Dr. Morales previously indicated. “years, with an estimated cost greater than 9% of health expenses. Doing nothing, remaining inactive on the part of the Government and health institutions, represents a cost that is difficult to assume for current and future generations. Because obesity is preventable and treatable.” In this case, the medications that help weight loss would not be enoughbut they would have to come from support, prevention and above all, an implementation of a healthy lifestyle.
This 2024 the launch of the 'Giro' guide: a guide impregnated by the elimination of stigmatization of the obese patient. This guide empowers the patient to more easily manage the treatment of their disease. Unmet needs and recommendations to solve them are raised. Representatives from 14 scientific societies have participated in this guide, highlighting the concept of transversal obesity care.
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