U.S. Representative Troy Carter of New Orleans spearheaded a roundtable discussion at Xavier University on Tuesday, October 31, focusing on the intertwined issues of obesity and mental health.
The gathering brought together a diverse group of healthcare professionals, patient advocates, community leaders, and other stakeholders to explore the pressing needs and potential solutions in tackling these complex problems.
Carter’s objective was to foster an open and supportive environment for discussing these issues, shifting the focus away from simplistic advice like “lose weight” or “exercise more,” and instead, delve into how genuine help can be extended to those in need. As he stated, “Let’s talk about how we can help.”
Among the participants was Dr. Eric Griggs, a health educator from Fox 8, who emphasized the importance of breaking the silence and stigma surrounding mental health and obesity. “We’re convened in a room, but we need to make sure we take this back out, so we don’t perpetuate the same issues of stigma with mental health and obesity,” Griggs asserted. “It’s always talked about in quiet rooms.”
The correlation between obesity and mental health was a key point of discussion, backed by research published in “The Psychological Burden of Obesity” by the National Institutes of Health. This article highlights various studies that have shown a positive association between obesity and mental health issues such as depression, eating disorders, anxiety, and substance abuse.
Dr. Catherine Hudson, a physician at LSU Health and the director of obesity medicine at UMC New Orleans’ Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Clinic, emphasized the need for increased collaboration within the community. She called for empowering patients to advocate for themselves and for the development of comprehensive programs to address both obesity and mental health. Hudson also stressed the importance of recognizing obesity as a disease and the necessity of legislative action to support its treatment.
Barriers to treating obese patients were another focal point, including the patients’ self-blame and financial obstacles. Hudson pointed out that despite the American Medical Association’s declaration of obesity as a disease since 2013, healthcare providers face difficulties in obtaining reimbursements for obesity-related diagnoses, making it challenging to offer necessary treatments.
Ava Zebrick of the Obesity Action Coalition shared her personal experience and highlighted the importance of expanding access to care for obesity. She emphasized that understanding obesity as a disease can help individuals overcome shame and seek the treatment they need.
Rep. Carter acknowledged the legislative efforts made to support the public, such as the establishment of the 988 call center for 24/7 emergency mental health resources, but he stressed that there is more work to be done. The roundtable aimed to unite professionals in addressing the root causes of obesity and mental health issues and to brainstorm solutions.
Dr. Hudson was also asked about Ozempic, a prescription diabetes medication sometimes used for weight loss. She described medications like Wegovy or Saxenda as game-changers in treating obesity and stressed that they are intended for addressing obesity as a disease, not for vanity weight loss.
