by Dr. Stephen Cooghan
January is the point in the year when many people take stock of their health after a season of over-eating, and obesity inevitably comes into sharper focus.
Too often the discussion is wrapped in blame, willpower and personal failure. This view is outdated. Obesity is a chronic, biologically driven disease with well-understood mechanisms, and it carries serious long-term risks to health if left unmanaged.
We now know that bodyweight regulation is governed by complex systems involving gut hormones, brain signalling, metabolism and genetics. These systems are designed to defend body fat, not shed it. This is why so many people experience weight-cycling or “yo-yoing” despite working extremely hard. They lose weight, then regain it because the underlying biology pushes back. This is not a lack of discipline; it is the natural behaviour of a chronic disease. Stigma is not only unfair but clinically harmful, as it discourages people from seeking proper help.
Obesity significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, sleep apnoea and several cancers. It is not about appearance or vanity; it is about reducing the diseases that shorten life expectancy and diminish quality of life.
Effective management requires a structured approach built on four pillars: nutrition, physical activity, behavioural support and, when appropriate, medication. Sustainable dietary change matters far more than short-lived restrictive diets. Physical activity should be realistic, safe and progressive. Behavioural support helps consolidate habits over the long term rather than relying on bursts of motivation that inevitably fade.
Medication can be transformative for many people when used correctly, and the evidence for modern anti-obesity medicines is strong. After eight years of prescribing these treatments, we have observed consistent, safe and meaningful weight reduction when they are used under proper supervision. However, these medicines are powerful and must be treated with the same caution as any other prescription therapy.
A growing problem is the widespread availability of counterfeit or illegally sourced weight-loss drugs. These products often contain incorrect ingredients, unsafe doses, or no active medication at all, and they pose serious risks. No-one should ever obtain obesity medication online or through unregulated vendors. Treatment must be supervised by a qualified GP who understands the patient’s medical history, monitors progress and manages dosing safely.
At My GP Clinic, we take a non-judgemental, medically grounded approach to obesity care. We aim to inform, support and guide people towards long-term health rather than temporary fixes. January is a sensible moment to take action, but tackling obesity is a year-round commitment. With expert oversight and a structured plan, meaningful and lasting change is entirely achievable.
