Obesity and overweight are public health problems affecting many people in France, and Arras is no exception.
In this article, we’ll explore how this city is mobilizing to help individuals manage these conditions through a variety of locally available services and approaches.
Foreword: Understanding the causes of overweight and obesity
Overweight and obesity result from an imbalance between caloric intake and energy expenditure. A number of factors can contribute to this imbalance, including poor diet, lack of physical activity, stress, lack of sleep, and even certain medications or genetic predispositions. A diet rich in fats and sugars, accompanied by excessive portion sizes, encourages weight gain. At the same time, a sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity accentuates this energy imbalance. Psychological factors such as stress and sleep disorders also play a major role, disrupting metabolism and increasing cravings for high-calorie foods. To understand the specific causes of weight gain in each individual, a multidisciplinary approach is often required.
This approach aims to assess not only eating habits and physical activity, but also psychological and medical factors. Consultations, whether individual or in a group, provide a comprehensive view of the patient’s health. By focusing on a thorough metabolic assessment, it is possible to identify specific imbalances and propose appropriate solutions. This approach makes it possible to personalize care and ensure appropriate follow-up for each individual, taking into account all dimensions of their health. Nutrition departments in clinics and hospitals, or even dietician-nutritionists, play a fundamental role in this assessment and treatment process. By offering individual and group consultations, they can address patients’ specific problems. Nutritionists work closely with other healthcare professionals to treat conditions such as severe obesity, eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating, and undernutrition.
This collaboration enables the development of holistic treatment plans that integrate nutritional advice, psychological support and physical activity recommendations, thus ensuring comprehensive, tailored care. Metabolic assessment and analysis of eating habits are key steps in this process. Tools such as impedancemetry, which measures body composition, and calorimetry, which assesses resting energy expenditure, are used to better understand the underlying causes of overweight and obesity. These examinations help to identify metabolic anomalies and personalize interventions. In addition, educational and psychological support helps patients to make lasting lifestyle changes, boosting their motivation and self-confidence. Thanks to this integrated approach, patients can obtain the tools they need to regain a healthy lifestyle balance and prevent the complications associated with overweight and obesity.
Overweight and obesity: what are the health consequences?
Overweight and obesity are conditions that can have serious consequences for health. Excessive accumulation of body fat disrupts the normal functioning of the body, increasing the risk of developing several chronic diseases. Cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, myocardial infarction and heart failure are among the most common. Being overweight or obese puts extra pressure on the heart, increasing the likelihood of atheromatous plaque forming in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Metabolic disorders are also common in overweight and obese people. Type 2 diabetes is one of the most worrying examples. This form of diabetes is strongly associated with excess weight, as accumulated fat, particularly around the abdomen, increases resistance to insulin, a hormone essential for regulating blood sugar levels. Inadequate management of this condition can lead to severe complications, such as nerve damage, kidney problems and chronic infections. On the musculoskeletal front, overweight and obesity can cause joint pain and mobility problems.
Joints, particularly those of the knees and hips, are subjected to excessive pressure due to the extra weight, which can lead to degenerative pathologies such as osteoarthritis. This condition can severely limit mobility and quality of life, making it difficult to carry out daily activities.
In addition, the risk of fractures and other injuries increases with excess weight. Finally, the psychological repercussions of overweight and obesity should not be underestimated. Individuals suffering from these conditions can face social stigmatization, low self-esteem and mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Social stigma and the daily challenges of weight management can exacerbate these problems, creating a vicious circle where stress and psychological distress further contribute to weight gain. Adequate psychological and social support is therefore essential to help these individuals improve their mental and physical well-being.
Management strategies
There are several types of care available in Arras :
Hospital consultations and personalized support in Arras
The Centre Hospitalier d’Arras, in particular, offers individual or group outpatient consultations, as well as day hospital stays to assess patients’ metabolic and educational needs. A multidisciplinary team of doctors, nutritionists, nurses and psychologists work together to offer personalized support. Support may include sessions on food representations, the impact of dieting, the importance of physical activity, emotional management and self-esteem. Patients can also benefit from day hospitalization or follow-up care and rehabilitation in partner centers for ongoing, integrated support.
Bariatric surgery for severe obesity
In cases of severe obesity, bariatric surgery may be considered. This option is generally reserved for patients with a BMI greater than 40 kg/m², or greater than 35 kg/m² with associated complications. The decision to undergo surgery is taken after a thorough assessment by a medical team to ensure that it is the best option for the patient. In Arras, surgeons specialized in this field work closely with nutritionists and psychologists to prepare patients before and after surgery, ensuring comprehensive, personalized follow-up.
Psychological support and behavioral interventions
Psychological support plays an essential role in the management of overweight and obesity. Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia require specific psychotherapeutic treatment. In Arras, therapeutic groups and individual consultations are available to help patients understand and modify their eating behaviors. There are also specialized associations such as “La Terre Est Ronde”, whose Facebook page can be viewed here. Behavioral interventions can include stress management techniques, strategies to improve self-esteem, and adapted physical activity programs. The goal is to provide patients with the tools they need to maintain healthy lifestyle habits over the long term.
R.C.
