Poor health related to being overweight is a problem which is becoming ever more prominent in the UK. The NHS estimates that as many as one in four adults in this country are affected by obesity alone, as well as one in five children aged 10-11. While being overweight can cause low self-esteem and result in a reduced quality of life, it is also a catalyst for serious physical illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and even some types of cancer.
Doctors determine whether someone is overweight by calculating their body mass index (or BMI). A person’s BMI is their weight in kilograms divided by their height in metres, and then this figure is divided by their height in metres again:
BMI = (weight in kg ÷ height in m) ÷ height in m
BMI can also be calculated using imperial measurements. This is done by taking a person’s weight in pounds, dividing this by their height in inches, dividing this sum by their height in inches again, and then multiplying the sum of this by 703:
BMI = ((weight in lbs ÷ height in inches) ÷ height in inches) x 703
People with a BMI between 20 and 25 are considered to be at their ideal weight; whereas those between 25 and 30 are classified as overweight; and those at 30 or above fall into the obese category.
A number of health and lifestyle factors can contribute to someone being unhealthily overweight. High calorie intake, lack of exercise and poor dietary habits can all play a part in causing someone to gain weight. Over time, this added mass can restrict the circulation of blood and oxygen around the body, and put extra strain on the body’s organs, leading to serious illness.
Treatment for those who are overweight or obese is usually issued in the form of a comprehensive weight loss programme. This might include a controlled and balanced diet, an exercise regime, motivational support, and sometimes weight loss medication.
Xenical, by Roche, is one of the most popular prescription drugs on the market for weight loss, and is also available as Orlistat, in its generic form. The active constituent in these medications works in the digestive tract. When we digest food, certain enzymes facilitate the absorption of fat into the body. These are called lipases, and help the digestive system to store fats as energy. By limiting the activity of these enzymes, Orlistat prevents fat from being assimilated into the body. Rather than being stored, the fat is then excreted in faeces.
Alli is another treatment containing orlistat which is used for weight loss. This contains half the dose of that found in Xenical and generic Orlistat, and is available in pharmacies over the counter. Before someone is able to buy Alli, they will still need to consult with a medical professional at the pharmacy, to make sure it is suitable for them. When you buy Alli from our online pharmacy, you will therefore still need to take our medical questionnaire.
Xenical and Orlistat reduce fat uptake from meals by around a third, while Alli reduces fat absorption by around a quarter.
Anti-obesity pills such as these can be useful for those with a BMI of 28 or above who are motivated to get their weight down to healthier levels. They are effective when used alongside a healthy diet and exercise plan.
At Treated.com, we’re here to make access to treatment simple, safe and convenient. Take one of our questionnaires today and a qualified practitioner will review your answers. If your medication is suitable for you, our UK-based pharmacy will dispense and ship your medicine by secure courier.
