DEAR DOCTOR,

I’ve been trying to lose weight, through fasting and some exercise but it doesn’t seem to work. A friend suggested diet pills and I’m curious to know how they work? Is that a healthy option? What are your thoughts?

MONICA

DEAR MONICA, 

Are you sure, you are overweight and need to lose weight. Body structure and appearance varies from person to person, depending on many factors, including genes. Some individuals look fat, but in reality are not overweight. If the body mass index (BMI), is within normal range (18 to 25), one is not obese. BMI is calculated by a simple formula-Weight in Kg/Height in meter squared. You can easily calculate it and decide whether you need to shed some kilos or not. If really weight loss is needed, try to do it in a natural way. That includes diet restriction and regular physical exercise.

Meals taken should be healthy and food items which add to calories should be avoided. Take more  fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grains, fish. Avoid sugary foods such as cakes, pastry, puddings, egg yolk, red meat, deep fried foods like frites. Take small bites, chew food slowly, when having meals, as that stimulates satiety centre of the brain soon, making one feel satisfied with just lesser quantity of food. Drink more water and try to drink water in between meals as that would, ‘fill the stomach”, soon. Avoid snacking in between meals. If craving to eat snacks is very strong, take healthy non oily, non-sugary snacks or just fruits. Remember quantities of, "healthy foods” consumed should also not be in excess, because excess nutrient substances also get converted into fat in the body.

Physical exercise should be done regularly, as per the stamina and overall health of the person. Apart from a fixed scheduled exercise per day, multiple physical activities done throughout the day are also useful, like walking to nearby store, cleaning the house, e.t.c.

It is desirable to lose weight gradually, i.e., 1 to 2 kilos per month. Drastic weight loss is not desirable and is harmful. It makes the body weak, disturbs hormone balance. Even apparent beauty is hampered, because face loses its glow.

Weight losing pills are not a healthy option to lose weight. These pills cause weight loss, by suppressing appetite directly in the brain or enhancing sense of fullness or both. They also reduce absorption of fat. These pills always cause side effects like increase in blood pressure, enhancing pulse rate, dry mouth, dizziness, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, excess somnolence, e.t.c. Hence these pills are used only if weight loss does not occur after 4 to 8 weeks of natural methods or if somebody is very obese, as to make him feel sick.   If one loses weight after using these pills, it has to be associated with and sustained with dietary measures and regular physical exercise. Otherwise when these pills are stopped, weight gain can occur on rebound. 

Dr Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine 

E-mail rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk