Weight Management

Dr Kevin Fernando

IYASU Healthcare

East Lothian's Private GP Service

Explains how his comprehensive weight management service is about more than just numbers on a scale. 

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Obesity — defined as having an excess of body fat that negatively affects health — has become one of the greatest public-health challenges worldwide. 

• In 2022, the worldwide prevalence of obesity among adults aged 18 or over was around 16%. 

• Globally, approximately 2.5 billion adults were overweight, including nearly 890 million living with obesity. 

• In the UK (and similar high-income countries), the situation is more widespread. In recent surveys, around 29% of adults were living with obesity, and 64% were either overweight or obese. 

These numbers show that excess weight is not a rare issue — it affects a large portion of the adult population.

Obesity isn’t merely about appearance or numbers on a scale; excess fat can lead to serious health consequences over time. People with overweight or obesity face significantly increased risks of a variety of conditions: 

• Type 2 diabetes — impaired regulation of blood sugar is common in people with obesity. 

• Cardiovascular disease — such as coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and other heart- and vessel-related problems. 

• Liver disease, including fatty liver disease. 

• Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnoea. 

• Joint and musculoskeletal problems (due to increased body weight), respiratory difficulties, and — in some cases — increased risk of certain cancers. 

• Emotional and psychological impact: living with overweight or obesity can affect self-esteem, mood, and overall quality of life. 

Because obesity often develops gradually, many people may not fully appreciate the long-term health risks until complications arise.

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Why Weight Loss (and Whole-Body Health) Can Be Difficult — and That’s Okay

We live in a world where convenience often leads to choices that are not so kind to our health. Fast foods and ultra-processed meals, typically high in fat, sugar and calories, are more widely available and often cheaper or easier than healthier alternatives. These “obesogenic” environments — combined with increasingly sedentary lifestyles — make achieving and maintaining a healthy weight challenging. World Health Organization+1

For many people, weight gain happens gradually, often unnoticed. Efforts to lose weight can be emotionally and physically exhausting. It is common to feel frustration, guilt, or shame — especially when societal pressures suggest that weight loss should be simple, or a matter of willpower alone.

The truth is: obesity is complex. Genetics, metabolism, mental health, environment, daily habits — all play a part. That’s why a compassionate, realistic, and individualized approach is so important.

If you have tried dieting or exercise and found it hard to make lasting changes — you are not alone. Seeking support is a sign of strength, not failure.

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Our Holistic Weight Management Service — More Than Just a Number on a Scale

At IYASU Healthcare we recognise that successful weight care is about whole health — not just reducing the number on the scale. Our goal is to help you improve your long-term health, reduce risks, and support sustainable, realistic change.

What our Weight Management Consultation Package includes:

• A comprehensive cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic health assessment

• Measurement of your Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio, to help assess your future risk of metabolic and cardiovascular complications (such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, sleep apnoea)

• A full screening panel, including:

  • Blood pressure and pulse rhythm

  • Blood tests (including a full cholesterol profile)

  • Urine test (to assess kidney and metabolic function)

  • Liver assessment and diabetes risk markers

• After the tests: individualised recommendations tailored to you — covering behavioural changes (diet, lifestyle), and where appropriate, medical interventions (including medications or injectables, if indicated)

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Consultation structure

• Initial consultation — 45 minutes. This includes the collection of blood and urine tests.

• Follow-up consultations — 30 minutes. Prescription charges (if medications are recommended) are included.

 

You will be cared for by Dr Kevin Fernando, who is SCOPE-certified in obesity management — including the prescribing of weight-loss injectables such as Mounjaro and Wegovy (where clinically appropriate).

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Why This Approach Matters

Because obesity is not just about weight, treating it just by “losing pounds” can miss the bigger picture. Two people with the same weight might have very different health profiles depending on fat distribution, metabolic health, cardiovascular risk, and other factors.

By assessing metabolic, cardiovascular, liver, and kidney health — alongside traditional measures like BMI and waist-to-height ratio — we can identify hidden risks early. That enables us to tailor interventions more precisely: from lifestyle changes (diet, physical activity, sleep, stress) to medications when needed.

Our holistic approach acknowledges that sustainable weight management often requires time, support, flexibility, and — above all — compassion.

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If You Are Considering Our Service…

You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Many people struggle with weight, not because of a lack of willpower, but because of complex biological, environmental and social factors. Taking the first step — asking for help, getting a full health assessment — is a brave and positive decision.

If you’d like to book a consultation (initial 45 min) to assess your health and discuss tailored next steps, or simply to ask questions — we’re here to support you, respectfully and without judgment.

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Final Note

Obesity is common. It affects many people — adults and children. But it does not define your worth. What matters most is your long-term health, your quality of life, and your well-being.

Our service at IYASU Healthcare is designed to support you as a whole person — not reduce you to a BMI number. We aim to give you the tools, information, and support needed to make sustainable changes, improve your metabolic and cardiovascular health, and reclaim control over your well-being.