Obesity & Weight Management
Obesity is a chronic, relapsing metabolic disease and a major driver of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, MASLD, sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis and several cancers. IMACH promotes a medical, evidence-based and stigma-free approach.
A disease, not a lifestyle choice.
Obesity results from complex interactions between genetics, biology, environment and behaviour. It is not simply a matter of willpower, and effective care requires the same structured medical approach applied to any other chronic disease.
The landscape of obesity medicine is changing rapidly. Incretin-based pharmacotherapies, metabolic and bariatric surgery and structured lifestyle programmes now offer meaningful and sustained weight reduction, with benefits that extend to glucose, blood pressure, lipids, liver fat and cardiovascular outcomes.
IMACH aims to equip clinicians with the knowledge to assess obesity beyond BMI, choose appropriate treatment, manage complications and support patients over the long term — with respect, empathy and attention to weight bias.
Key areas of scientific focus
Assessment
- Obesity as a chronic disease
- Diagnosis beyond BMI: waist, body composition, complications
- Obesity in Asian populations and appropriate cut-offs
- Childhood and adolescent obesity
- Sarcopenic obesity
- Weight stigma and patient communication
Treatment
- Medical nutrition therapy and structured lifestyle programmes
- Physical activity prescription
- Behavioural and psychological interventions
- Anti-obesity pharmacotherapy including incretin-based therapies
- Metabolic and bariatric surgery; endoscopic therapies
- Pre- and post-surgical care
Complications & maintenance
- Obesity-related diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia
- MASLD and obstructive sleep apnoea
- Osteoarthritis and mobility
- Reproductive health and PMOS
- Weight maintenance and relapse prevention
- Muscle preservation during weight loss
Clinical challenges we address
Stigma and bias
Weight bias in healthcare discourages patients from seeking care.
Treating complications, not the cause
Obesity is often left unaddressed while its complications are treated individually.
Access to therapy
Cost, availability and referral pathways limit access to effective treatment.
Weight regain
Long-term maintenance requires continued support and, often, continued therapy.
Muscle loss
Rapid weight loss can reduce lean mass, particularly in older adults.
Misinformation
Patients encounter widespread unreliable information about diets and medicines.
Translating evidence into everyday care
IMACH promotes structured obesity care: respectful conversation, comprehensive assessment, shared decision-making on treatment and planned long-term follow-up.
The obesity care pathway:
| Care stage | Focus for clinicians |
|---|---|
| Ask & assess | Permission-based conversation; measure BMI, waist and complications. |
| Stage | Classify by severity and obesity-related complications. |
| Plan | Nutrition, activity, behaviour; add pharmacotherapy or surgery as indicated. |
| Support | Regular follow-up, side-effect management, muscle preservation. |
| Maintain | Long-term plan to prevent weight regain. |
IMACH programmes in this area
Obesity medicine course
Comprehensive training in modern obesity care.
Pharmacotherapy masterclass
Selection, initiation, titration and monitoring of anti-obesity medicines.
Bariatric care collaboration
Joint sessions with surgeons on referral and follow-up.
Nutrition & behaviour workshops
Practical dietary and behavioural strategies.
Paediatric obesity sessions
Prevention and care in children and adolescents.
Bias-free communication training
Respectful, effective weight conversations.
Who this area brings together
Effective obesity care draws on many disciplines — medicine, surgery, nutrition, psychology and exercise science.
Questions we explore
- How should obesity be diagnosed and staged in Asian populations?
- Who should receive pharmacotherapy, and for how long?
- When is referral for surgery appropriate?
- How can lean mass be preserved during weight loss?
- How can weight regain be prevented?
Frequently asked questions
Does IMACH recommend specific weight-loss medicines?
IMACH provides education on the evidence for available therapies. Treatment decisions are made by clinicians with their patients.
Is childhood obesity covered?
Yes, prevention and management of obesity in children and adolescents is part of this area.
Why focus on stigma?
Weight bias reduces the quality of care and deters patients from seeking help; addressing it improves outcomes.
This page is intended for healthcare professionals and is educational in nature. It does not constitute medical advice or treatment recommendations for individual patients. Clinical decisions should follow current guidelines, local regulations and individual patient assessment.
Contribute to obesity care at IMACH.
Join as a member, faculty or research collaborator in this therapy area.