Being overweight or obese can lead to a whole host of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. That’s why medical weight management is essential—and not just for those who are significantly overweight. Even if you only have a few pounds to lose, medical weight management can help you get to a healthy weight and improve your overall health.
There are many reasons why people struggle to lose weight. For some, it’s simply a matter of making healthier choices and getting more exercise. But for others, there may be underlying medical conditions or medications that make weight loss more difficult. In these cases, medical weight management can be the key to successful weight loss.
Medical weight management programs are designed to address the unique needs of each patient. They may include lifestyle counseling, nutrition education, behavior modification, and exercise programs. For patients who have difficulty losing weight on their own, doctor-supervised medication may also be an option. Fortunately, in Illinois, Dr Lala, a board-certified Obesity Medicine specialist, can work with you to create an effective strategy to lead to healthier weight.
What is Medical Weight Management?
Medical weight management is a long-term approach to sustainable weight loss. Unlike fad diets or quick-fix solutions, medical weight management addresses the underlying causes of obesity and helps patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
There are many different types of medical weight management programs, but they all share a few common elements:
- Lifestyle counseling: This component helps patients identify and make changes to unhealthy behaviors that contribute to obesity.
- Nutrition education: This component helps patients understand how the food they eat affects their health and their risk for obesity-related diseases.
- Behavior modification: This component helps patients develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
- Exercise programs: Regular physical activity is essential for sustainable weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight. Exercise programs may include walking groups, fitness classes, or one-on-one sessions with a personal trainer.
- Medication: For patients who have difficulty losing weight on their own, doctor-supervised medication may be an option. Commonly prescribed medications include appetite suppressants and GLP1 agonists.
Medical weight management is essential for anyone who is struggling to lose weight—no matter how much you have to lose. These programs are designed to address the unique needs of each patient and help them develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. If you’re struggling to lose weight on your own, give Dr Lala a call, and see if Kinetix is right for you.
