A Guide to Obesity and Clinical Trials
Obesity is a common medical condition characterized by an excessive amount of body fat, which can lead to other long-term health problems.
The condition is often measured using body mass index, or BMI, which is a weight-to-height ratio commonly used in a healthcare setting. In most cases, a BMI of over 30 is often indicative of obesity.
Obesity is highly prevalent in the United States, affecting an estimated 41.9% of adults as of March 2020. Studies show that these rates have been climbing over the last decade and will likely continue to worsen in the future, especially in certain groups.
Obesity on its own isn’t inherently dangerous. However, the condition is associated with an increased risk of many other dangers, including diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and other long-term health concerns that can have serious consequences – including premature deaths.
Fortunately, many cases of obesity are treatable through a combination of medical guidance, exercise, and a healthy diet. Prescription weight-loss medication and weight-loss surgeries are also available for more severe cases.
The Risks of Living With Obesity
Cardiovascular Disease
Patients with obesity are more likely to experience cardiovascular conditions like heart disease and stroke, which are two of the leading causes of death annually around the world.
This increased risk of cardiovascular disease occurs because obesity increases the risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and atherosclerosis. All of these conditions are precursors to more serious cardiovascular decline.
Type 2 Diabetes
Obesity increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, affecting how the body processes blood sugar. If not managed correctly, type 2 diabetes can lead to dangerous complications like kidney failure, blindness, and loss of lower limbs.
Cancer
Certain types of cancer, such as breast, colon, and kidney, are more common among obese patients than the general population. Cancers associated with obesity comprise 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States annually.
Respiratory Problems
Many patients with obesity struggle with respiratory problems due to fat depositions along the chest wall. This often results in difficulty exercising, making it difficult to lose weight. Sleep apnea is also prevalent among patients with obesity.
Mental Health Problems
In addition to physical challenges, many patients diagnosed with obesity also struggle with mental health issues, including depression. Rates of mood and anxiety disorders are 25% higher among these patients than in the general population. Additionally, many patients with obesity experience discrimination as a result of their size, which can further contribute to mental health problems.
Why Obesity Is Challenging to Overcome
For many patients, obesity is a life-long struggle. There are many factors that make this condition challenging to overcome, even with medical support. Some of these hurdles include:
Genetics
Some people are genetically predisposed to develop the condition – there are over 50 genes associated with symptoms of obesity in some form. Individuals who have a combination of these genes may struggle to lose weight, even with a healthy diet and strong exercise habits.
Metabolic Adaptations
As patients with obesity work to lose weight, they may encounter metabolic adaptions, which prevent further weight loss if not addressed. After an initial period of weight loss, the patient’s metabolism slows down, resulting in fewer calories burned.
This is one of our body’s built-in survival mechanisms but it can also prevent consistent weight loss. A very slow, gradual weight loss strategy helps to prevent metabolic adaptations.
High Stress Levels
There is a correlation between high stress levels and obesity. Patients who live or work in stressful environments often struggle to lose weight. Additionally, people struggling with their stress levels often don’t have the time or energy to exercise, which can further prevent weight loss.
Environmental Factors
Where you live can also make it very difficult to overcome obesity. For example, many patients with the condition live in food deserts and only have access to high-calorie, low-nutrient fast food options. Additionally, a lack of parks, trails, or gyms nearby makes maintaining a consistent exercise routine difficult.
Who is Predisposed to Obesity?
Certain demographics are more likely to experience obesity than others. Most notably, adults over the age of 60 are far more likely to develop obesity than children or younger adults. This is due to a variety of factors, ranging from changes in hormones to changes in their environments.
Our racial and cultural backgrounds also affect our predisposition to obesity. For example, obesity affects 54.8% of Black women and 50.6% of Hispanic women, compared with 38% of White women.
Additionally, income and class can also affect obesity rates. People making less than $36,000 per year are statistically more likely to become obese than their counterparts that earn more.
Match With Obesity or Weight Loss Clinical Trials
Do you struggle with obesity? You may qualify for a clinical trial in your area. Tandem Clinical Research will match you with:
- Scientific clinical studies
- The latest obesity and weight loss treatments
- Talented, experienced researchers
The Importance of Safe Weight Loss
Many patients with obesity fall into the trap of fad diets and workouts in an attempt to lose weight rapidly. However, many (if not most) of these “fitness” trends are ineffective for long-term weight loss and may even be dangerous.
Trendy diets and workouts often focus on cutting out entire food groups and burning an unsustainable amount of calories each day. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies and muscle loss, and it can also exacerbate pre-existing health conditions.
Individuals with obesity should seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals. These professionals will create personalized diet and exercise routines that appropriately account for each patient’s needs and goals.
Safe weight loss should be gradual, typically occurring at a rate of one to two pounds per week. This should include a balanced diet of whole foods, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting processed foods and added sugars.
Pairing a balanced diet with regular exercise is essential for sustainable, long-term change. Not only does this approach help obese individuals lose weight safely, but it also contributes to improved cardiovascular health, better blood sugar control, and mental well-being.
Potential Treatments to Assist With Obesity
Match With Obesity Clinical Trials
Have you been diagnosed with obesity, or do you have a BMI over 30? Do you have health conditions that are related to your obesity?
If so, you may qualify for clinical studies to help researchers learn more about obesity and how it affects our long-term health. Scientists are studying many aspects of the condition and the health concerns it can trigger, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and more.
The purpose of these studies may include researching:
- The relationship between genetics, environmental factors, and obesity
- How metabolism affects obesity
- Risk factors for obesity and related conditions
- New treatments for obesity
Participating in these studies benefits both you and future obesity patients. If you’re interested in participating in an obesity or weight loss trial, reach out to us today to learn more about opportunities at Tandem Clinical Research.
How to Support Others Struggling With Obesity
If you have a loved one struggling with obesity, you may be wondering how best to support them. Not only is obesity physically and mentally challenging, but many obesity patients experience social stigma on a daily basis.
There are a variety of things you can do to help a friend or family member struggling with obesity. These include:
Be an Empathetic Listener
It’s important for people living with obesity to have a strong support system. Living with obesity can be very stressful at times, so be sure to lend a listening ear when your loved one needs to chat.
Let them guide the conversation and avoid judgment. Try to put yourself in their shoes and practice empathy.
Help Them Find Medical Support
Finding the right medical care can be difficult when living with obesity. If your friend or family member has expressed difficulty finding a doctor, insurance, or medication, take time to help them with research.
You can also help by driving them to appointments and providing care during intensive procedures if that is something they would appreciate.
Educate Yourself
If you’ve never experienced obesity before, you may not have a concrete understanding of what people go through when struggling with this condition. To be a better support system for your friends and family members, do some research to educate yourself on the causes and symptoms of obesity.
Encourage Healthy Activities
When you spend time with your loved one, suggest healthy and fun activities, such as cooking a nutritious dinner together or going for a bike ride. Don’t comment about their appearance or health, and don’t pressure them if they’re not ready to do something. Instead, suggest a different activity.
Respect Their Progress
Treating and recovering from obesity is a long process; your loved one must take things at their own pace. Respect them by celebrating their accomplishments, no matter how small they are, and boosting their self-esteem with compliments that aren’t about their appearance or health. Don’t lecture or pressure them about their weight; give them space to make their own decisions.
Match With Obesity Clinical Trials
Tandem Clinical Research specializes in connecting patients with obesity and other health conditions with clinical trials. If you live in or near New York City, New Orleans, or Orlando, we’re here to match you with trials.
Fighting obesity may be a long-term battle, but this cutting-edge research is developing new treatments and solutions for patients. Consider joining a clinical trial today to contribute to this important research.