Obesity and metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is the name for a clustering of medical conditions that raises your risk for IHD (Ischaemic Heart disease), Stroke and Type-II Diabetes Mellitus. According to new IDF (International Diabetes Federation) definition, metabolic syndrome is defined as central obesity plus any two of the following risk factors – Hypertension, Raised Fasting Plasma Glucose, Raised triglycerides and Reduced HDL cholesterol. It is estimated that around 20-25 per cent of the world’s adult population have the metabolic syndrome and they are twice as likely to die from and three times as likely to have a heart attack or stroke compared with people without the syndrome. In addition, people with metabolic syndrome have a five fold greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Treating metabolic syndrome consists of multidisciplinary team approach from medical and surgical doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists and dieticians. The team will guide and lead you through evidence-based weight improvement therapy programme to achieve a healthy lifestyle and life-long complete health. Primary interventions consisted of lifestyle modification with healthier diet, increase physical exercises and behavioural changes to aid successful weight loss maintenance. Pharmacotherapy intervention to treat the individual components of the syndrome in order to lower the overall impact on IHD and diabetes risk. Prescriptions of weight-loss medications may be helpful in selective individual by medical practitioners only due to its potential side-effects.

The Ministry of Health Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines published in 2004 and 2016 endorses the role of surgery indicated to patients with body mass index (BMI) higher than 37.5 without any co-morbidities (Class III obesity), or above 32.5 (Class II obesity) with co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertensions, hyperlipidaemia and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Results from recent randomised trials suggested that metabolic surgery combined with intensive medical therapy is more effective than optimal medical treatment alone for glycaemic control in obese individuals with Type 2 diabetes. Additional benefits were noted in the control of blood pressure and lipid levels in the surgery group. The benefits of metabolic surgery among anti-diabetes interventions for “diabesity” is also recognised by recent joint statement from International Diabetes Organizations in Diabetes Surgery Summit (DSS-II). At the SKH SWITCH Centre, we have a multi-disciplinary specially trained team to ensure your safety along the journey before and after operation. Our surgeons are specially trained in advanced laparoscopic and metabolic surgery internationally.

​SGH Obesity Centre

Specialist Outpatient Clinic, Level 3
10 Hospital Boulevard, SingHealth Tower / Outram Community Hospital
Singapore 168582