From diet to drugs: why weight loss is different for each person

There is no one-size-fits-all approach that will work for everyone. By Reiner Jumpertz-von Schwartzenberg

- Reiner Jumpertz-von Schwartzenberg

More than 2.5 billion adults worldwide are overweight or obese, according to estimates from the World Health Organization.

This staggering number highlights a growing global health crisis. Obesity isn’t just about weight - it’s a powerful risk factor for a range of serious diseases, including type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, heart attacks and strokes. As awareness grows, more people are asking a critical question: how can I lose weight and stay healthy in the long run?

Obesity is a complex condition with many contributing factors. It’s not simply a result of eating too much or exercising too little. For many people, emotional and psychological stress plays a major role. Work-related pressure, financial concerns, family issues or social anxiety can all lead to emotional eating. Others may develop obesity as a result of depression, which often disrupts both eating patterns and motivation for physical activity.

In addition, modern lifestyles can make it easier than ever to gain weight. Many of us spend long hours sitting at desks, in cars or on the couch and highly processed, calorie-dense foods are readily available and heavily marketed. This combination of behavioural, psychological, social and environmental factors creates a situation where weight gain becomes increasingly difficult to avoid and even harder to reverse.

Because obesity has many causes, it also requires a multi-faceted solution. The most effective treatments follow a multimodal approach, where healthcare professionals – psychologists, nutritionists and physicians - work together to support people on their weight loss journey. This team-based approach not only addresses diet and exercise, but also tackles underlying emotional and mental health challenges.