About This Section
Nutrition is the consumption of foods that sustain life and support the physical and biological changes associated with aging. Unfortunately, in today’s world, the term “nutrition” is often associated with the need to adjust one’s diet only when a health issue arises. However, nutrition is of vital importance throughout all stages of life. Research has shown that many diseases stem from poor nutrition. For this reason, as the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at NPİSTANBUL Hospital, we provide services in the areas of Healthy and Sustainable Weight Loss, Nutrition for Eating Disorders, Weight Gain, and Nutrition for Specific Medical Conditions. Personalized nutrition programs are implemented in all outpatient clinics where we provide services. These nutrition programs are evaluated and implemented within two distinct categories: preventive nutrition and therapeutic nutrition.
Common Misconceptions About Weight Loss
Obesity is a chronic disease whose prevalence is steadily increasing and is determined by the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is proportional to the increase in body fat percentage. The primary cause of obesity is an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. In addition, accompanying factors such as genetic influence, dietary patterns and content, physical activity levels, basal metabolic rate, thermogenesis, and environmental factors also play a role in the development of obesity.
The World Health Organization defines obesity as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that poses a risk to health.” When his Body Mass Index (BMI)—calculated by dividing his weight in kilograms by the square of his height in meters (kg/m²)—exceeds 25 kg/m² and his waist circumference reaches a certain level (102 cm for men, 88 cm for women), he needs to make changes to his diet and lifestyle. If your BMI exceeds 30 kg/m², you must learn how to eat healthily under the guidance of a nutritionist or dietitian. Otherwise, chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases will follow. Obesity is a preventable chronic disease. At NPİstanbul Brain Hospital, our Obesity Nutrition Counseling is completely personalized; we provide individualized nutrition programs and follow-up visits based on a detailed assessment.
As described in the section titled “Weight Loss Through Psychotherapy,” this program aims to make it easier for clients to follow their existing nutrition plans and to prevent weight regain after losing weight by changing the lifestyles and habits that lead to obesity. Individuals who come to our hospital seeking “Healthy and Sustainable Weight Loss” and have a BMI of 25 kg/m² or higher undergo an initial assessment.
During this preliminary evaluation, past diet and exercise programs, weight-loss treatments, eating habits, meal patterns, and motivation for weight loss are assessed through face-to-face interviews and the completion of questionnaires, and necessary blood tests (complete blood count, lipid profile, blood sugar, etc.) are performed. Individuals deemed suitable for the program are enrolled in individual therapy. These therapy sessions, conducted under the supervision of a trained and experienced psychiatrist, consist of weekly 60-minute sessions, and the program lasts 7 weeks. Throughout the therapy, nutrition programs are prepared at the Nutrition and Diet Outpatient Clinic, and follow-up consultations continue prior to each therapy session. After the program ends, follow-up consultations—scheduled based on mutual agreement with the client (e.g., at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year)—are conducted.
