According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of obese people in the world has doubled since 1980. Statistics in 2016 show that 13 per cent of the world’s adult population is obese (11 per cent in men and 15 per cent in women). Many factors contribute to obesity, of which a sedentary lifestyle and nutrition with redundancy in calories are believed to be the main causes. As we get older, the body’s metabolism slows, and the elderly’s ability to utilise energy is a lot lower than young people. This means that it’s particularly common for older people to be obese. Mr. D.V.F., a 61-year-old Australian living in Ho Chi Minh City, visited FV’s Dietetics and Nutrition Department for examination on June 29, 2020, because he wanted to lose weight. Mr D.V.F.’s initial weight was 124 kg, his height was 162 cm and his BMI was 47.2, so he was considered severely obese. After a clinical examination, Dr Nguyen Viet Quynh Thu, Head of Dietetics and Nutrition, assigned additional tests, such as a body composition measurement via InBody technology, blood test and ultrasound. The results of body these composition measurements showed that the patient had an excess of 50 kg of body fat, which is an alarming number. His blood tests and ultrasound results showed that Mr. D.V.F. had dyslipidaemia (elevated LDL-Cholesterol, elevated Triglyceride, low HDL-Cholesterol), Type 2 diabetes, elevated liver enzymes and a fatty liver. In addition, he also had high blood pressure and had obesity-related sleep apnoea syndrome. As a result, Mr D.V.F. had to wear a ventilator to support him during sleep. After synthesising the test results, Dr Nguyen Viet Quynh Thu made a positive nutrition plan for the patient by establishing an appropriate diet to help lose weight and correct the patient’s metabolic disorders. At the same time, Mr D.V.F.’s plan included exercise guidance to accompany positive changes in the patient’s lifestyle to increase the effectiveness of his treatment. In addition to nutrition, Dr Quynh Thu also referred Mr D.V.F. to FV’s Cardiology and Endocrinology departments so that doctors there could address his blood pressure and blood sugar problems. After seven months of actively implementing his nutrition plan under the guidance of his doctor and nutritionist, combined with exercises and monthly check-ups, Mr D.V.F. currently weighs 87 kg, and his body fat has decreased by 30 kg (with 20 kg remaining). He no longer has to use a ventilator while sleeping. In addition to his dramatic weight loss, Mr D.V.F.’s test results show he is in much better health, with the indicators of dyslipidaemia and blood sugar disorders significantly improved (HbA1C decreased from 7.2 to 5.6, LDL Cholesterol and Triglyceride decreased, HDL Cholesterol improved). Mr D.V.F.’s fatty liver disease was also significantly improved, and he says he feels happy that his ability to move has become better after losing weight—he no longer feels as heavy as before. According to Dr Nguyen Viet Quynh Thu, Head of Nutrition & Dietetics Department at FV, being overweight or obese makes the body unbalanced, and patients will experience slower, heavier movement with associated health conditions which worsen their quality of life. Obesity is now considered a chronic non-communicable disease with many complications that adversely affect health, such as diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and even cancer. Therefore, the treatment of obesity needs to combine many different measures to be effective and safe. People who are overweight and obese need to have general health checks to get an accurate assessment of their body’s condition. In addition, they should consult a specialist doctor and seek advice for a healthy diet and exercise that is appropriate for them.
