Obesity is a complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat.
Obesity isn’t just a cosmetic concern.
Being extremely obese means you are especially likely to have health problems related to your weight.
The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health problems associated with obesity.
Dietary changes, increased physical activity and behavior changes can help you lose weight.
Prescription medications and weight-loss surgery are additional options for treating obesity.
Obesity is diagnosed when your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher.
BMI Weight status
For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat.
Ask your doctor if your BMI is a problem.
You and your provider can evaluate your health risks and discuss your weight-loss options.
Your body stores these excess calories as fat.
you could counteract most risk factors through diet, physical activity and exercise, and behavior changes.
You may not be able to do things you used to do, such as participating in enjoyable activities.
You may avoid public places.
Obese people may even encounter discrimination.
In some cases, you may be referred to an obesity specialistif one is available in your area.
You may also be referred to a behavioral counselor, dietitian or nutrition specialist.
Being an active participant in your care is important.
One way to do this is by preparing for your appointment.
Think about your needs and goals for treatment.
Also, write down a list of questions to ask.
And this will guide treatment decisions.
The goal of obesity treatment is to reach and stay at a healthy weight.
The initial treatment goal is usually a modest weight loss3 to 5 percent of your total weight.
However, the more weight you lose, the greater the benefits.
All weight-loss programs require changes in your eating habits and increased physical activity.
Other treatment tools include:
Reducing calories and practicing healthier eating habits are vital to overcoming obesity.
There is no best weight-loss diet.
Choose one that includes healthy foods that you feel will work for you.
Dietary changes to treat obesity include:
Be wary of quick fixes.
You may be tempted by fad diets that promise fast and easy weight loss.
The reality, however, is that there are no magic foods or quick fixes.
To lose weightand keep it offyou have to adopt healthy-eating habits that you might maintain over time.
Increased physical activity or exercise is an essential part of obesity treatment.
Tailor your behavior changes to address your individual concerns.
But in certain situations, prescription weight-loss medication may help.
If you don’t make these other changes in your life, medication is unlikely to work.
You will need close medical monitoring while taking a prescription weight-loss medication.
When you stop taking a weight-loss medication, you may regain much or all of the weight you lost.
In some cases, weight-loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, is an option.
While weight-loss surgery offers the best chance of losing the most weight, it can pose serious risks.
Weight-loss success after surgery depends on your commitment to making lifelong changes in your eating and exercise habits.
Common weight-loss surgeries include:
Vagal nerve blockade is another treatment for obesity.
Unfortunately, it’s common to regain weight no matter what obesity treatment methods you try.
If you take weight-loss medications, you’ll probably regain weight when you stop taking them.
You might even regain weight after weight-loss surgery if you continue to overeat or overindulge in high-calorie foods.
But that doesn’t mean your weight-loss efforts are futile.
One of the best ways to prevent regaining the weight you’ve lost is to get regular physical activity.
Aim for 60 minutes a day.
Keep track of your physical activity if it helps you stay motivated and on course.
You may always have to remain vigilant about your weight.
Find a healthier way of living that you might stick with for the long term.
These can include:
Numerous dietary supplements that promise to help you shed weight quickly are available.
The effectiveness, particularly the long-term effectiveness, and safety of these products are often questionable.
Even some vitamins and minerals can cause problems when taken in excessive amounts.
Ingredients may not be standard, and they can cause unpredictable and harmful side effects.
Dietary supplements also can cause dangerous interactions with prescription medications you take.
Talk to your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.
Mind-body therapiessuch as acupuncture, mindfulness meditation and yogamay complement other obesity treatments.
However, these therapies generally haven’t been well-studied in the treatment of weight loss.
Talk to your doctor if you’re interested in adding a mind-body therapy to your treatment.
