Currently, the situation of overweight or obesity among residents in our country is severe. Weight loss is greatly beneficial to health. Besides medication and surgery, lifestyle intervention is the preferred method for scientific weight reduction.
Wang Chenfang, deputy director of the Endocrinology Department at Zhongshan Hospital in Zhejiang Province, introduced that obesity and obesity-related complications include type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, various cancers, etc. However, based on over a decade of clinical experience, she found that while weight loss may sound simple, patients may struggle to implement it due to compromised adherence. Sustaining commitment becomes increasingly challenging, and mere brief outpatient education is far from sufficient.
Source: Visual China
“In the outpatient department, I often tell patients to maintain a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise. However, once they leave the outpatient department, they may forget. Improving lifestyle habits requires long-term adherence.”
“Take the simple advice of ‘control your diet and exercise more,’ for example. Many patients have misconceptions. Some believe that walking home and doing household chores daily qualify as exercise, while others think they eat modestly daily. However, when the total energy intake from their food is calculated, it exceeds the limit, coupled with insufficient physical activity. How can they succeed in losing weight?”
Such misconceptions delay treatment, exacerbate the condition, and prompt endocrinologists to realize the importance of providing long-term lifestyle management support to patients.
In May 2023, doctors established the first session of the “Weight Loss Camp,” recruiting over 400 individuals via new media platforms. The camp caters to three groups: obese patients with a BMI of 28kg/m2 or higher, overweight individuals with a BMI between 24-28kg/m2, and those with normal BMI but abdominal obesity seeking body reshaping.
In their spare time, Wang Chenfang and her colleagues transform into “weight loss personal trainers,” answering questions and providing public education within the group. They offer professional diagnosis and treatment services tailored to the weight loss needs of each patient, conduct comprehensive health assessments, and develop scientifically sound weight loss plans.
“Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is the preferred choice for weight loss. It should be performed at least three times a week for more than 150 minutes per week. Sweating profusely is unnecessary; reaching a light perspiration level is adequate, especially for obese and diabetic patients,” Wang Chenfang frequently reminds group members. The success of weight-loss exercises not only depends on the frequency and intensity of exercise but also on a structured plan and consistent execution.
Wang Chenfang is seen during a charitable consultation (Hospital image)
“In just over a month, I lost over 10 kilograms, and I feel much lighter!” 30-year-old Xiaowu (pseudonym) was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes earlier this year. After Wang Chenfang recommended he join the weight loss camp, he experienced a significant transformation.
Adhering to medication schedules, posting jogging updates on social media, sharing three meals a day in the group… under the supervision of doctors, Xiaowu, who used to neglect health due to his young age, made a firm decision to stay away from illness. He started disciplining himself, maintaining a regular schedule, exercising consistently, closely monitoring caloric intake. Now, not only has he maintained his weight, but all his health indicators have returned to normal, and he no longer needs diabetes medication.
Outside the outpatient department, the “Weight Loss Camp” provides obese patients with lifestyle guidance, personalized medication treatment, psychological intervention, and post-weight loss maintenance to prevent weight regain.
“It’s great; my uric acid and blood lipids are decreasing,” “Don’t worry, the blood sugar will come down,” “To prevent rebounding, keep up with exercise and diet” … In the “Weight Loss Camp” community, the doctors promptly and meticulously resolve everyone’s concerns and anxieties.
For over a year, the endocrinology doctors have sacrificed much of their rest time and energy, which has yielded noticeable results in the community.
More people in the group proactively care about their health, verbal goals transition into tangible actions – some members follow a scientific diet and exercise regimen, successfully lose weight and maintain it; some in the pre-diabetes stage have reversed their condition. Most importantly, over half of the group members have acquired a scientific understanding of the dangers of obesity and the necessity of weight loss; they voluntarily seek medical advice, undergo hospital checks, identify their type of obesity, understand their physical condition, and prevent complications.
“This endeavor of the Weight Loss Camp has effectively broadened the extension of outpatient clinical services, deeply integrated the concept of preventive treatment, and truly helped patients establish a scientific lifestyle.” Dr. Wang Chenfang’s confidence in her innovative approach is palpable.
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