Norway’s Nordland Hospital faces rise in obesity cases despite medication advancements

Medications for obesity have shown significant effectiveness in recent years, but not everyone can tolerate them, which means surgical options will still be necessary, according to Bente Aronsen, head of the Center for Obesity at Nordland Hospital in Norway. The center has provided treatment for patients with severe obesity across Northern Norway.

Two decades ago, when the center was established, the approach was very different. In 2005, the first full year of operation, they treated only 59 patients, nearly all of whom underwent surgery. Recently, the number of operations stabilized at around 90 to 100 annually, though there has been a notable increase in referrals in the past couple of years, with estimates projecting 240 this year. However, only about 75 of these patients are expected to undergo surgery.

Aronsen noted a shift in patient preferences, with many opting for lifestyle changes and medication rather than surgery. She attributes this to the availability of weight loss medications, although access has been severely restricted since January 1, 2023, making it difficult for most patients to obtain these medications through prescriptions.

Salwan Al-Ani, a senior physician at the center, highlighted that obesity continues to rise in Norway, impacting around one million people, with the northern region facing the greatest challenges. According to reports, obesity affects 19% of the population in Northland compared to just 11% in Oslo.

Both Aronsen and Al-Ani emphasize the need for lifestyle changes in conjunction with any medical or surgical treatment for obesity, advocating for increased prevention efforts targeted at children and families to reduce the growing rates of obesity in the region.