A healthier approach to weight management
Supporting lasting health through sustainable lifestyle change.
Understanding weight management as part of overall health
Weight management is about more than losing weight. It's about supporting long-term health through sustainable lifestyle changes, with medical and surgical interventions when appropriate.
Why weight management matters
- Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for overall health and wellbeing. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), excess body weight is a major risk factor for chronic diseases including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, musculoskeletal disorders, and certain cancers.
- Studies from the NHS in the UK show that even a modest 5% weight reduction can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce disease risk.
- Globally, overweight and obesity are major public health concerns, affecting billions of people and contributing substantially to illness and premature death.
What causes weight gain and obesity
Multiple factors contribute to weight gain, including a complex interaction of biological, behavioural, and environmental influences. These include:
- Energy imbalance: consuming more calories than the body uses
- Dietary patterns: high intake of ultra-processed, energy-dense foods
- Physical inactivity: sedentary lifestyles and limited movement
- Sleep deprivation: increased hunger and unhealthy food choices
- Stress: hormonal changes (e.g., cortisol) that increase appetite
- Genetics and biology: influence appetite, metabolism and fat storage
- Environment: access to healthy food, urban design and socioeconomic conditions
The WHO emphasises that obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease shaped by systems and environments, not simply by individual behaviour. Importantly, the goal of managing your weight is not just a number on the scale.
What you need to know
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Adult obesity facts and strategies.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/
Chao, A. M., Jastreboff, A. M., White, M. A., Grilo, C. M., & Sinha, R. (2017). Stress, cortisol, and other appetite-related hormones: Prospective prediction of 6-month changes in food cravings and weight. Obesity, 25(4), 713-720.
https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.21790
Discovery Ltd. (n.d.). A data-led blueprint for better health: Sleep research paper.
Available at: https://www.discovery.co.za/assets/template-resources/vitality/sleep-research-paper.pdf
World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). New WHO framework available for prevention and management of obesity.
Available at: https://www.who.int/news/item/17-05-2023-new-WHO-framework-available-for-prevention-and-management-of-obesity