Closing the Gap in Obesity Care: From Awareness to Action

Obesity is becoming a global health crisis, and Vietnam is no exception to this worrying trend.

At the press conference announcing the report on awareness, attitudes, behaviors and barriers in obesity treatment in Vietnam (ACTION) organized by Novo Nordisk Vietnam Limited Company in Ho Chi Minh City on June 21, many experts called for drastic actions to narrow the gap in the care and management of obesity - a disease that has been recognized as chronic but is still being underestimated in treatment practices.

Vietnam is witnessing the fastest increase in overweight and obesity in Southeast Asia, up 38% in recent years.

According to the National Institute of Nutrition, the rate of overweight and obesity in children aged 5–19 doubled from 8.5% in 2010 to 19% in 2020.

Notably, in Ho Chi Minh City, the obesity rate among adolescents has exceeded 50%, while in Hanoi it has exceeded 41%. Obesity is not only a weight problem, it is also a “doorway” to a series of dangerous diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, sleep disorders, etc.

According to WHO, this is one of the leading causes of death globally. However, in Vietnam, this disease has not been comprehensively managed.

An important but often overlooked factor is the social stigma associated with obesity. The report found that 30% of patients and 59% of physicians said stigma affected their ability to build relationships; 17% of obese people and 57% of healthcare workers said stigma reduced their chances of finding a job; and 16% of obese people and 41% of healthcare workers said stigma reduced their chances of succeeding in their jobs.

Sharing at the event, Mr. Nguyen Liem (27 years old, Hanoi), who used to suffer from obesity, said: “Weight loss is not just about losing weight, but also about improving overall health. The support of doctors, family and friends is the key factor that helps me overcome my inferiority complex and persevere with treatment.”

“Obesity management is not synonymous with weight loss,” stressed Dr Georgia Rigas, a leading obesity expert from Australia. According to her, treatment should focus on improving quality of life, reducing the risk of complications and restoring physical function.

Obesity is a disease with a genetic factor of 40-70%, and no one wants to have this disease like choosing eye color. It is necessary to change the awareness of both doctors and the community to prevent, detect and treat early.

She also warned: “If we only focus on treating complications, we will miss a valuable opportunity to improve the lives of patients. An effective treatment requires an integrated, multidisciplinary approach from nutrition, physical, mental health to interventional medicine.”

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Institute of Digestive Surgery, 108 Central Military Hospital said: "In Vietnam, although obesity has been recognized as a chronic disease, this awareness is not fully reflected in practice.

40% of doctors hesitate to talk about weight, and nearly 50% of patients feel embarrassed when asked. This seemingly simple psychological barrier has a big impact on treatment effectiveness."

Novo Nordisk, a partner of ACTION research, has been working with the Ministry of Health and partners to implement many strategic programs: professional training for health workers, raising public awareness and reducing stigma against people living with obesity.

The specialized website www.giamcansongkhoe.vn - launched by Novo Nordisk in cooperation with the Vietnam Medical Association - aims to provide information, treatment instructions and a medical expert search tool to help patients reach the right place and the right person.

Obesity is not an individual’s fault. It is the result of an interaction between genetic, physiological, environmental and lifestyle factors. No one “wants” to be obese, and no one should be discriminated against because of their body shape.

More than ever, Vietnam needs a humane and effective health care system that helps patients receive early diagnosis, access appropriate treatment, and live healthy lives without discrimination.

From healthcare professionals, policy makers, food producers and businesses to every member of the community, everyone has a role to play in closing the gap in obesity care. This is not only a medical responsibility, but also a social duty for a healthier Vietnam.

CHI MAI

Source: https://nhandan.vn/thu-hep-khoang-cach-trong-cham-soc-benh-beo-phi-tu-nhan-thuc-den-hanh-dong-post888599.html