1. Nestlé Health Science
  2. Health Management
  3. Obesity
Obesity is one of the most prevalent health conditions worldwide

Obesity is a condition in which excess build-up of fat leads to potentially adverse health conditions. People who are obese have an increased risk of health issues including heart disease, diabetes and cancer. While there are multiple factors which can contribute to obesity, lifestyle factors and nutritional status can play a large part in maintaining a healthy weight.

In Australia, 63% of adults are classified as overweight or obese1. Over the next 20 years, an estimated 123,000 men and women will die prematurely from conditions associated with their excess weight.2

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines overweight and obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, breathing problems such as sleep apnoea, and cancer.

Weight loss has been shown to reduce the risk of these health conditions, with even a small reduction showing health benefits3. 

While obesity is ultimately a condition caused by an imbalance between daily energy intake (calories from food and drinks) and energy expenditure (calories burnt through the body operating and physical activity), multiple factors can lead to such an imbalance. In addition to consuming more calories than required, several other factors such as genes, the surrounding culture and infrastructure, amount of sleep and even some medications may influence unintended weight gain.

While some of these factors are out of a person’s control, lifestyle habits and nutritional intake can be adapted for a person to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Both increasing activity (burning more calories) and reducing intake (eating fewer calories) can help restore a proper energy balance.

At Nestlé Health Science, we are actively engaged in developing nutritional therapies to help improve conditions like obesity and the quality of life of patients with such conditions.

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012
2. Stewart, S. et al., 2008. Australia’s future ‘Fat Bomb’: A report on the long-term consequences of Australia’s expanding waistline on cardiovascular disease, s.l.: Baker Heart Research Institute. http://www.bakeridi.edu.au/Assets/Files/fatBomb_report.pdf
3. National Health and Medical Research Council. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of overweight and obesity in adults, adolescents and children in Australia. Melbourne, 2013.
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Weight loss, even a small amount, has a range of health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and improving blood glucose levels, mobility and sleep patterns.3

Get active!

GET ACTIVE!

Starting to exercise regularly can seem like a daunting task for people who are obese. However, small changes, like taking the stairs instead of elevators, parking a car further from a destination or going for walks after meals can all add beneficial physical activity to burn extra calories. Consult your doctor to ensure that exercise is appropriate for you, and speak to an exercise physiologist for individualised advice.
Enjoy your food but choose wisely!

ENJOY YOUR FOOD BUT CHOOSE WISELY!

Food is not only important to keep our mind and body functioning optimally, but it plays a huge part in our social lives. Therefore, it is important to enjoy food and the festivities surrounding it. However, choose appropriate foods as well as quantity to suit your requirements. Consult a dietitian for individualised advice to help you reach your weight goals.
Make lifestyle changes!

MAKE LIFESTYLE CHANGES!

Instead of making short-term changes that may be very difficult to stick to, make gradual lifestyle changes that can be sustained in the long run. This may include gradually reducing your meal portion sizes, cutting down on soft drink, and increasing the frequency of planned physical activity.

OPTIFAST® VLCD™ product range

The OPTIFAST® VLCD™ Program is a nutritionally complete very low calorie diet for the dietary management of people who are obese or severely overweight. To assist with compliance, the product range comes in a variety of products including shakes, desserts, soups and bars.

OPTIFAST® VLCD™ is a food for special medical purposes for the dietary management of obesity and must be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

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