Health experts provide guidance on weight management and metabolic health

Medical professionals and nutritionists in Taiwan are offering strategies for effective weight management, emphasizing that a healthy body requires more than just a low BMI. Dr. Nian Xiao-jing from National Taiwan University Hospital warns against the 'puffy person' phenomenon, where individuals appear slim but possess high visceral fat and low muscle mass, increasing the risk of fatty liver and metabolic diseases. She recommends focusing on 'muscle gain and fat loss' rather than mere weight reduction, suggesting a waist-to-height ratio of under 0.5 as a key health indicator.

Nutritionists also suggest dietary adjustments to manage hunger and blood sugar. Experts recommend eating vegetables first, followed by protein, and finally carbohydrates to slow glucose absorption. To prevent overeating, it is advised to chew each bite at least 15 times and extend meal duration to over 20 minutes. For those managing cravings, moderate consumption of dark chocolate, red bean dessert, or plain sponge cake is suggested as a way to reduce the psychological sense of deprivation during dieting.

Regarding medical interventions, Dr. Nian notes that while GLP-1 receptor agonists (commonly known as 'weight loss injections') are effective tools for obesity and fatty liver treatment, they should be used under medical supervision and not as a shortcut. She highlights that recent approvals for certain medications in Taiwan show promise in reversing liver fibrosis, though they are not yet covered by national health insurance for all fatty liver cases.