A Multidisciplinary Approach to Fight Obesity

This week, the World Obesity Federation urged countries to implement policies to improve the health of their population and fight obesity. A representative of nutriADN added that including a nutritionist in medical teams is essential to provide better attention to patients and prevent obesity.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the International Women’s Day, Mexican health institutes committed to ensure a violence-free environment for both workers and patients. 

This is the Week in Health!

Obesity Stigma: A Heavy Weight to Carry

One in five women and one in seven men will have obesity by 2023 if countries do not prioritize addressing the issue, according to the World Obesity Federation. The Americas region reports the highest rates of obesity worldwide, with Mexico being one of the 11 countries where half of all women live with obesity. It is also one of the nine countries where half of all men live with obesity. Weight stigma is also a concern, as discrimination towards obese individuals can have negative physical and psychological effects. To combat this issue, public policies that favor population health and tailored action plans must be implemented. Measures taken by Mexican authorities include mandating clear labeling of excess sugar and fat content on food packaging, which has led to a reduction in added sugar, fat and sodium in 56% of food industry products. Learn more about it on MBN. 

Ensuring Violence-Free Healthcare

The Ministry of Health, through the National Institutes of Health, High Specialty Hospitals and INMUJERES, signed the Declaration Zero Tolerance for Sexual Harassment to guarantee the right of all women to a life free of violence. The signed document is a mechanism that aims to protect the integrity and dignity of workers and users of healthcare services and stop sexual harassment, which “should not go unpunished or continue to be naturalized,” says Nadine Gasman, Head, CCINSHAE. Read the whole article here. 

Efforts and Opportunities to Achieve Integral Health

Healthcare needs a holistic approach. While technology can be useful, it is important to remember that it is a tool, not a cure-all. Instead, companies should focus on helping their employees evolve as professionals and innovators, allowing them to develop solutions that address the needs of patients and clients. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of continuously taking care of everyone’s mental and physical health. Therefore, healthcare solutions must be holistic, considering various determinants of health, explains Fernando Lledó,  General Manager, Bupa Mexico. Learn more about it on MBN. 

The Importance of Information and Systems

To make quality decisions, information must be accurate and timely. Information systems, standardization and systematization of processes are crucial for providing accurate and timely information for informed decision-making in the health industry. The interrelation of information in its various biomedical, administrative and financial variables is key for a complete approach to patient care. Information is power and must be transformed into knowledge to differentiate and improve healthcare services, according to Jorge Azpiri, Director of Development and Expansion Projects, TecSalud.

Nutrition, Lifestyle Pave the Role to Health

Poor diets, physical inactivity and sleep deprivation are some of the leading causes of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease. However, healthcare professionals are not sufficiently trained in nutrition and lifestyle education, explains Natalia Diaz, Head of Medical Education, nutriADN. A multidisciplinary approach to medicine, which includes nutritionists, can help prevent the progress of various pathologies and improve patients’ quality of life. The inclusion of a nutritionist in a medical team reduces the risk of invasive treatments, decreases treatment duration and lowers costs. Read the complete article on MBN.