Obesity

Previously, obesity was thought to be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. Today, obesity is considered a chronic disease. Calculated since 1975, the number of obese patients has tripled. If the trend continues, 18% of men and 21% of women worldwide would suffer from this disease by 2025.

Obesity used to be seen as a symbol of wealth and fertility, but now we know it can have a negative effect on health. Stigmatizing and shaming people with obesity is called 'fat shaming' and can cause serious psychological problems for people who are obese.

What is obesity?

Obesity is having abnormally or excessively large deposits of body fat, which can have a negative effect on one's health. To assess whether there is obesity, the so-called BMI (Body-Mass index) is used.

How do I recognize obesity?

If you calculate your BMI you can have an indication of whether you are obese. It concerns the following formula:

BMI = weight (kg) / height (in m) ^{2 (squared)}

The World Health Organization has determined that if the result is 30 kg/m or higher, there is obesity. However, the BMI should be seen as an indicator and not as always applicable. There may be factors, such as athletes with highly developed muscle mass or underlying diseases, that make the BMI result unreliable in a specific case.

Can I do something about obesity myself?

There are several factors that play a role as a basis for obesity. Some factors are hereditary or work-related, such as a sedentary occupation. Other issues, such as an unhealthy diet and mental health, are easier to tackle.

The consequences of obesity can be serious, such as joint problems, sleep apnea, heart failure, type 2 diabetes and serious breathing problems. All these consequences of obesity can be the basis for other diseases and thus a vicious circle is created.

Can the pharmacist do anything for me?
The pharmacist can always have a conversation with you about the situation and see what your medications would currently mean if you are obese. Based on this, the pharmacist can advise you to go to your specialists or to an obesity specialist to find a solution.

Which medications are used for obesity?

There are several medications that can be prescribed, such as orlistat, liraglutide and ursodeoxycholic acid. The first two products are a slimming agent and are prescribed in exceptional cases. Losing too much or too quickly can have serious lasting consequences for the body and is strictly not recommended. The latter medicine is often used to prevent gallstones when losing more than 1.5 kg of weight per week.

Can I buy medicines online?

You cannot buy the medicines online and are only available from approved pharmacies.

Buy medicines without a prescription

The above medications for obesity are only available with a prescription. You will need to obtain information from a specialist and have your situation assessed before you can take such medication.

Suitable medications for obesity and weight loss:

Mysimba
Xenical
Saxenda
Orlistat
Alli tablets