If you have a body mass index (BMI) over 30, you are considered clinically obese. Treating obesity involves a multi-layered approach and is most effective when assisted by a medical professional.
For the morbidly obese, the usual methods you employ to lose weight will not work. For instance, if you are obese, it is not a weight issue alone, but a health issue. Obesity is a medical condition that usually occurs with metabolic syndrome, which increases your risk of stroke and heart disease. With obesity, there is a disruption of normal metabolic functioning that may be linked to insulin resistance.
If you are attempting to self-treat, know that very few patients who are obese succeed with non-medical approaches. Let a medical professional help you reach your weight and health goals in a safe and effective way.
Customized Dietary Modifications
A cycle of weight gain and weight loss is called yo-yo dieting, and it can tax your organs and negatively affect your health. While dietary modifications can help you lose weight, if you are looking at a long-term goal of maintaining a healthy weight, a doctor can help create a customized dietary plan that you can easily incorporate into your lifestyle. Your daily caloric and nutritional needs should still be met. Dietary modification is largely about building healthy habits that you can carry long-term.
Exercise Program
Losing and maintaining a healthy weight will always include an exercise program. One of the risk factors of being overweight is inactivity or being sedentary. Naturally, you need to increase your physical activity if you want to lose weight. Dietary modifications and exercise both work well to help you reach a healthy weight. Furthermore, the benefits of exercise are more wide-ranging than just weight loss. Obesity and the health conditions that accompany it, such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, can be prevented or managed with exercise.
Obesity Medication
Being a metabolic disease, obesity treatment may also include medication. Your doctor may prescribe Orlistat, which is the safest and one of the most effective medications used to treat obesity. Orlistat prevents the absorption of about 30 percent of the fat in your diet. Generally, doctors will only recommend Orlistat after dietary modifications and exercise programs have been effectively put in place. There are some side effects associated with Orlistat, and it’s important that you discuss them with your doctor before taking it.
Severe obesity that doesn’t respond well to these interventions or for severe cases where the BMI is 40, bariatric surgery may be necessary – especially for those who have serious health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. For patients with a BMI of over 50, surgery will likely be a recommended treatment.
Obesity Management in Tucson, Arizona
Dr. Robert Lending specializes in helping patients manage and treat obesity, particularly those with metabolic syndrome. Obesity is a serious medical condition, and we treat it as such.
In our Tucson clinic, we provide personalized service and deeply care about your health and wellbeing. To schedule a consultation, call (520) 795-4291 or send us an appointment request. We can’t wait to provide you the VIP treatment you deserve.
