Weight management backed by science.

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We use a team based approach concentrating on food, psychology and medicine to help you to lose weight, maximise your health and improve your life.

Our name, Noi Clinic, is derived from the Greek, ‘metanoia’. Metanoia means 'transformative change', and it reflects the philosophy of our clinic.

Many individuals have spent their lives focusing on weight loss, with the efforts being all consuming. And ultimately without achieving long term success.

We provide a safe, non judgemental space to talk about your weight. We use our combined expertise to work with you to identify and address the specific causes of your weight issues. Our aim is to help you manage your weight, physical and mental health and have the freedom to concentrate on the things you enjoy"

– Caroline Shannon and Dr Rosemary Atkinson - Co-founders

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FAQs

 

Am I Overweight?

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.

These terms have been used to replace traditionally emotive words such as 'fat' and 'skinny'. They are used in medical language and mainly are reflective of BMI.

The use of 'fat' as a purely descriptive term is being reclaimed in general society which should be applauded.

What is BMI?

Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in metres (kg/m2).

For adults, WHO defines overweight and obesity as follows:

  • overweight is a BMI greater than or equal to 25; and

  • obesity is a BMI greater than or equal to 30

What is the problem with BMI?

There are so many problems with BMI…

BMI is old - it was invented in the 1830s (yep!) and made popular in the 1970s. It does not consider: sex, race, age, genetics, difference in muscle mass or importantly, your metabolic health.

BMI can only and should only be used as a guide. We need to look at the whole person, not a number on the scales.

What is a better measure?

There has been increasing interest in a new marker to determine risk with higher weight. The waist circumference to height ratio distinguishes when weight is of concern in a more accurate way than BMI. There are still flaws, however it is an easy measurement and quick to calculate.

Waist-to-Height Ratio = Waist Circumference / Height

The waist circumference should be measured at the midpoint between the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest, using a stretch‐resistant tape.

So why should we care about weight?

You are not your weight. You are a whole person who needs to be looked at as an individual.

However, increased weight can be associated with an increased risk of certain diseases.

Some of the ones we look for are:

  • cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke)

  • diabetes

  • musculoskeletal disorders (especially osteoarthritis);

  • some cancers (including endometrial, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and colon).

There are symptoms, signs and markers we can measure which can show your risk of these diseases. Losing weight in this context has been shown to help.

Do you prescribe medications for weight loss?

There are a number of new medications which can be used for weight management. Our doctor, Dr Rosemary Atkinson is happy to discuss these with you and prescribe a medication if appropriate. Medications are not a 'quick fix' however they can help overcome some of the barriers to losing weight. They should be used in addition to addressing diet, exercise, sleep and psychological struggles.

Do you do endoscopic or bariatric surgery at Noi Clinic?

Noi Clinic is a medical weight management clinic and we do not perform surgery.

We do however help people before and after bariatric surgery. We work in close association with Bariatric Surgeons in Sydney and across Australia and have had extensive experience in managing patients who have had LapBands (including doing adjustments), sleeve gastrectomy, omega loop gastric bypass or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

We are very happy to discuss surgery and where surgery sits in an individuals weight loss journey. We are able to, in conjunction with your own GP, suggest and refer to a Bariatric Surgeon at any point as appropriate if that is your preference.