Thuy gained 20 kg after giving birth. Work pressure and stress following her divorce led her to use food as a coping mechanism, resulting in uncontrolled weight gain. When her health declined, with persistent insomnia, shortness of breath, a rapid heartbeat, and difficulty moving, she sought help at Tam Anh General Hospital in TP HCM. At that time, she weighed 89 kg, was 1.64 m tall, had a BMI of 33.1 (classified as high-level obesity), and her visceral fat measured 221 cm2, twice the safe threshold. She also showed signs of mild arrhythmia, an enlarged fatty liver (grade 3), and prediabetes.

Doctor Tran Nguyen Quynh Tram from the Endocrinology - Diabetes department explained that excessive fat accumulation affects the heart's structure and function, forcing it to work harder to supply blood to the larger body. Over time, this can lead to heart failure, atherosclerosis, and arrhythmia. Thuy's high visceral fat levels increased the secretion of cytokines and adipokines, inflammatory mediators that can cause myocarditis and affect the heart's electrical conduction system, resulting in an irregular heartbeat.

"Thuy needs to lose 5-10% of her body weight to control the arrhythmia and prevent the condition from worsening," said Doctor Tram.

A nutritionist advises Thuy on a weight-loss diet. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

A nutritionist advises Thuy on a weight-loss diet. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Doctor Tram created a personalized obesity treatment plan tailored to Thuy's work and life schedule. The treatment involved medication combined with dietary adjustments and an exercise regimen suitable for her health.

Thuy created a weekly meal plan prioritizing fish and reducing red meat and processed meats. Her family gradually shifted from frying and stir-frying to steaming and boiling, incorporating more salads, vegetables, and soups into their meals. When cravings struck, she opted for sugar-free yogurt, nuts, or unsweetened milk instead of her previous choices of sweets, desserts, and ice cream. To avoid buying prepared foods, she walked to the market to purchase corn, sweet potatoes, and fresh ingredients for boiled breakfasts or snacks, and prepared her own lunches to bring to work.

Since starting her treatment, Thuy began waking up earlier to walk to work and take the stairs instead of the elevator. In the evenings, she spent about 20 minutes exercising with her mother and daughter at the park.

By adhering to the treatment plan, she lost 5 kg in the first month. By the third month, she had lost 14 kg and is continuing the treatment to reach her goal weight of 70 kg.

Duc Hanh