Doctor, Just One Question

Body Mass Index (BMI) is the objective standard for measuring excess weight. A BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight, between 18 and 24.9 is considered normal/healthy weight, between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, and a BMI of 30 or above indicates obesity.

Contrary to popular belief, obesity is not merely a behavioral issue related to overeating or momentary food cravings. Its main causes include a variety of factors such as genetic predisposition, modern work-life habits that leave little free time, lack of physical activity, and consumption of processed, high-fat foods. As a result, even individuals who maintain dietary changes and lose significant weight often find themselves regaining it and reentering the cycle of obesity.

Obesity is indeed now recognized as a disease. In the past, it was widely viewed as purely a behavioral issue, but over time, obesity has been acknowledged as a medical condition—and even as a global epidemic of the modern world. This is also how most health organizations in the Western world define it today.

According to many experts, the condition is largely genetic, and genetics are difficult to address without medical intervention. This is one of the reasons most diets fail. Studies show that between 65% and 95% of those who lose weight eventually regain it. While the range is wide, the trend is clear: most people are unable to maintain weight loss over time and revert to old eating habits.

As obesity becomes more prevalent, the likelihood of it spreading to future generations continues to rise.

Yes, the problem is becoming more severe each year worldwide ,including in Israel. According to a study published by the Ministry of Health in 2013, one in three elementary school students in Israel is overweight. The rate of obesity among children has increased by more than 50% in recent decades, and other studies show that a child who is overweight is significantly more likely to struggle with obesity in adulthood.

There are currently several effective medications for treating obesity, designed to regulate the body’s satiety mechanisms in the brain as well as in the stomach. Some drugs target the brain’s hunger and fullness signals, while others work by breaking down fat from food in the stomach. This treatment helps reduce the urge to eat between meals, enhances the feeling of fullness, and encourages patients to adopt a healthier lifestyle while maintaining their weight loss over the long term.

We use a variety of medications and, in some cases, combinations of medications. Some are not available through the public healthcare system, and others are prescribed at different dosages than those typically provided by health funds. Since the body eventually develops resistance to any single medication, adjustments are necessary to maintain progress. For this reason, the treatment is not based on just one drug.

The program includes, among other things, unlimited appointments with the physician and dietitian team, personal supervision and support for making adjustments throughout the process, 24/7 medical availability by phone for urgent issues, comprehensive body composition assessments, and a dedicated patient app.

As with any medication, side effects vary from one person to another. Some patients may not experience any side effects at all, while others may feel mild effects at the beginning. There’s no need to worry, these symptoms typically fade as the body adjusts to the medication. This is exactly where the most important element comes in: continuous supervision, monitoring, and medical support to track, manage, and even prevent side effects in real time, with a dedicated support center available to patients 24/7.

The medication-based treatment is intended for individuals aged 14 and older with a BMI of 27 or higher, accompanied by at least one risk factor (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, or diabetes), or a BMI of 30 or higher without the need for additional risk factors.

Each person loses weight at their own pace. The rate of weight loss varies from individual to individual and depends on factors such as metabolism, changes in eating habits, and the adoption of a healthier lifestyle. The treatment programs at the medical center are designed to maximize weight loss results in the shortest possible time.

The duration of treatment programs varies from one patient to another, depending on individual medical and personal needs. After consulting with the physician, the patient, together with the doctor and care team, can build a personalized plan that spans a flexible number of months.

Reimbursement through private insurance may be possible, depending on the specific policy and its exclusions. In most cases, reimbursement can be requested for out-of-basket weight loss medications, the initial consultation with the physician, and dietitian appointments. We provide all necessary documentation for submission.

As for health funds, each one has its own varying criteria for participation in medication costs, such as a minimum number of dietitian sessions and other conditions.