2023-07-11 08:11:14
New Guidelines Proposed by Medical Specialists to Tackle Obesity in the Netherlands
Medical specialists in the Netherlands have developed new guidelines aimed at tackling and preventing the rising rates of obesity in the country. The goal is to develop treatments that better suit the various causes of severe obesity. The umbrella organization Partnership Overwicht Nederland (PON) has contributed new insights into the health risks associated with obesity.
According to PON chair Liesbeth van Rossum, more than half of Dutch adults are overweight, with a significant portion categorized as obese. Van Rossum emphasized that there have been no new guidelines to address this problem since 2008, and the situation is only worsening.
The PON has highlighted that many diseases are directly related to obesity, including not only diabetes and cardiovascular disease but also dozens of other conditions such as cancer, fertility problems, and knee complaints. These findings are based on medical studies conducted by the PON.
One of the notable updates in the guidelines is the inclusion of new ways to diagnose overweight individuals. While the focus in the Netherlands has traditionally been on the Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference is now being studied as well to estimate health risks for overweight individuals. The reason for this change is that BMI, which measures a person’s weight in relation to their height, is not an accurate measure of health risks for everyone. For example, a bodybuilder may have a high BMI due to muscle mass but may not necessarily have the same health risks associated with excess fat.
The new guidelines also address the social and psychological causes of overweight, including the promotion of cooperation between healthcare providers and social workers. The aim is to prevent and tackle obesity by addressing not only unhealthy lifestyles but also living conditions that contribute to obesity, such as poverty.
Moreover, the PON recommends that the government take action to prevent obesity through policy changes. Suggestions include introducing a sugar tax, creating a healthier living environment, and making healthy food, such as fruits and vegetables, more affordable.
Van Rossum acknowledges that changing an unhealthy lifestyle is challenging and emphasizes the importance of providing people with proper information. She states that without significant effort, the body tends to revert to its previous state. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare providers to discuss severe obesity earlier and in a respectful manner.
These new insights from the medical field will be implemented from next autumn, with the PON focusing on providing refresher courses on obesity. This initiative will primarily target healthcare providers to ensure they are well-equipped to address the issue effectively.]
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