When Tam visited Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi, she was 1.58 m tall and weighed over 77 kg. She was diagnosed with class one obesity, excessive body fat, and a visceral fat area of 150 cm2 (the safe threshold is below 100 cm2). Dr. Le Ba Ngoc, deputy director of the Weight Control and Obesity Treatment Center, said Tam suffered from metabolic disorders, high blood glucose, and fatty liver disease. Without proactive treatment, Tam faced a high risk of developing serious chronic diseases at a young age, impacting her quality of life, lifespan, and future reproductive health.

Dr. Ngoc explained that excessive fat accumulation affects musculoskeletal function, increasing the risk of premature degeneration and reducing flexibility during physical activity. Exceeding the safe threshold for visceral fat means the body is in a state of silent chronic inflammation, susceptible to atherosclerosis, hypertension, high blood cholesterol, and insulin resistance – a factor that causes type 2 diabetes. Fat accumulation in the liver is an early warning sign of impaired liver function.

Tam received personalized, multi-specialty treatment, including injections to prolong satiety, improve insulin sensitivity, control blood glucose, and reduce visceral fat. Doctors also prescribed medication to improve insulin resistance, control blood glucose, and prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes.

A specialist guided Tam on a calorie-deficit diet that remained nutritionally complete and wouldn't affect her development. She needed to reduce fast-absorbing carbohydrates, prioritize fiber-rich foods and lean protein, and minimize saturated fats and sugary foods. Concurrently, Tam engaged in gradually increasing exercise, tailored to her body's adaptation, to boost her metabolism.

Tam lost 6 kg after a month of obesity treatment. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Tam lost 6 kg after a month of obesity treatment. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

After nearly a month, Tam lost 6 kg, her BMI decreased from 31 to 28.5, and her body fat percentage reduced without muscle or water loss. Her blood glucose levels also improved.

According to Dr. Ngoc, the personalized, multi-specialty treatment model not only helped Tam achieve sustainable weight loss but also addressed her accompanying metabolic disorders, preventing the risk of many dangerous chronic diseases at a young age.

The doctor recommends that parents seek medical attention for their children if they exhibit symptoms such as rapid weight gain, fatigue, or reluctance to exercise. Parents should not self-medicate their children with weight loss drugs or implement extreme diets or rigorous exercise regimes. These measures can cause metabolic disorders, affect children's physical and mental development, and increase the risk of micronutrient deficiencies, malnutrition, endocrine disorders, and muscle loss.

Minh Duc