Every second person in Austria is overweight
30 percent of the world’s population are now overweight, a good third of them are considered obese and also pathologically obese. Obesity statistics show that the US is at the forefront when it comes to obesity. But in Europe, too, it looks bleak. Malta, Latvia, Hungary, Great Britain, Germany, Austria lead the European statistics. Their population is getting bigger and bigger and therefore also sicker.
Every second person in Austria is fighting against obesity
Every second Austrian and every second Austrian over 15 is overweight. EVERYONE AND EVERY THIRD PARTY OF THEM is even affected by obesity. The 18- to 24-year-olds belong to the greatest risk group. The coronavirus lockdowns have exacerbated the situation.
“The WHO – the World Health Organization, expects 250 million obese children by 2030. That is alarming. “
Causes of extra pounds
Many overweight people spend a large part of their time in life, they do little exercise and hardly go out into the fresh air, instead they spend a lot of time on their cell phones or on the computer and eat fast food, for example.
It is not surprising that the number of overweight people is increasing. According to Eigener, more and more fats are being exchanged for carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are found in the majority of industrially manufactured foods. The problem with this is that people tend to consume more and more of these fillers and hardly degrade them. “You would have to invest a lot more time in sport and exercise to be able to compensate for that, but it just doesn’t work,” says Eigner.
Obesity from BMI over 30
One speaks of obesity when the body mass index – the BMI – is over 30. Above a conscientious BMI, the obese patient can no longer lose weight himself. Then he is dependent on professionals. These include surgeons, internists, nutritionists, dieticians and physiotherapists. Together with the patient, this team then creates an individual therapy plan, explains Eigner: “Because not every patient is the same. Neither in his diet, nor in his attitude to life, nor in his eating habits. “
Those affected suffer from stigmatization
The consequences of obesity diseases can be dramatic, ranging from heart attacks to strokes to diabetes and cancer. Affected people also suffer from psychological pressure and stigmatization. Those who want to be successful in our society must not be fat, those who have too many pounds on their ribs are often labeled as lazy.
According to Ewald Kugler, psychologist at the Tauern Clinic in Zell am See, obese people are very sensitive: “Patients are very quickly vulnerable to the issue of being overweight. Because people when and under other sentences listen to that.
Many very overweight people no longer manage to lose weight on their own. That sets off a vicious circle, says Kugler: “People stay at home and avoid social contact. Then people eat out of frustration and it’s very difficult to get there. “
Operation as the last treatment option
Often all that remains is the operation. Before doing this, it is important to establish a good basis with the patient, says Ewald Kugler: “This interplay between psyche and body is so closely interlinked that actually neither side can do without the other. To win your body back as the best partner that carries you through life and to re-establish this connection is a challenge. “
These operations are then minimally invasive, says surgeon Raffaele Eigner: “The operations are performed using the keyhole technique. Here the stomach is reduced in size in such a way that the filling volume and the filling status of the stomach are clear. “
Lifestyle change
The operated patients When & after the procedure start immediately with a mobility program and a lifestyle change, emphasizes psychotherapist Ewald Kugler: “This is where personal responsibility becomes a reason.”
It is not an easy path, but one that is worthwhile and that brings back the joy of life in the patient, confirms Stefan Köttl, physiotherapist at the Tauern Clinic in Zell am See: “Self-discipline is required and effort, in which you have to overcome your body and will to achieve a goal. The patient is coached and encouraged and motivated. “