4 Questions to Ask Your Diet Doctor

There are a number of ways in which a doctor can help a patient lose weight. Being overweight is associated with a wide range of worsening health outcomes and a higher susceptibility to the onset of several chronic conditions.
 
Healthcare providers, such as those at Beckley Internal Medicine, will work with each patient on a case-by-case basis to determine an individualized medical weight management plan. This personalized plan will involve dietary and exercise changes and may incorporate medications in some cases.
 
The objective of the medical weight management plan is to help patients achieve significant and lasting weight loss. They do so by tailoring the plan with considerations about the patient’s age, activity level, starting weight restrictions, lifestyle, health, any underlying chronic conditions, and more, to make sure that the plan is attainable while suited to the individual’s goals and comprising actionable steps.
 
Certain medications may be incorporated into this patient’s weight loss journey to suppress appetite and aid with metabolism.

When it comes to the ideal weight, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, several health factors influence an individual’s weight and ultimately if they are within an appropriate weight range. A balanced diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits can support improved health outcomes, regardless of their actual weight.
 
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a tool that is used to measure an individual’s weight in relation to their height. Broadly speaking, a body mass index of between 18.5 and 24.9 tends to be a healthy weight range, while a BMI of over 25 can indicate being overweight, and a BMI of over 30 may indicate obesity.
 
BMI is a basic consideration in determining healthy weight. Providers at Beckley Internal Medicine will work with patients through medical weight management to help them identify their ideal weight and an actionable plan of how to reach it.

When it comes to identifying whether or not an individual is overweight, it may be difficult for them to do so on their own. In cases such as these, a consultation with providers at Beckley Internal Medicine can help determine if they are currently overweight and outline a plan to help them achieve a healthy weight. There are some signs and symptoms associated with being overweight that patients may notice. Chronic fatigue can be caused as excess weight puts undue pressure on the organs, including the lungs, which may lead to shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
 
Being overweight, and especially obese, can lead to aching joints as extra pressure is applied on the joints from the excess weight that the patient is carrying. Regular heartburn experiences and acid reflux can be associated with being overweight, as can snoring and difficulty sleeping.
 
Patients can also measure their weight and their waist or waist circumference, above 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women could be indicative of being overweight. They may also look at a body mass index calculator to determine where they fall on the scale by inputting their weight and their height.

Visiting a doctor concerning weight loss can be well worth it, especially for patients who have a considerable amount of weight to lose and are facing associated health risks. A medical weight loss provider can point them in the right direction in terms of a nutrition plan and exercise regimen using their expert knowledge to identify the best course of action.
 
When individuals are significantly overweight, experiencing any weight-related health conditions, or obese, it becomes particularly important to seek out a medical weight management plan. Obesity and being overweight can lead to deteriorating physical and mental health outcomes and the onset of chronic conditions and may become life-threatening over time.
 
Many patients find medical weight management highly beneficial because early intervention and treatment of their weight-related concerns can help avoid the need for more costly treatment interventions further down the road that may be necessitated by complications related to being overweight or obese.
 
Medical weight management is available at Beckley Internal Medicine. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 2401 South Kanawha Street, Ste 100, Beckley, WV 25801. We serve patients from Beckley WV, Sophia WV, Macarthur WV, Mount Hope WV, Lester WV, Stanaford WV, Baylor WV, Bradley WV, Daniels WV, Shady Spring WV, Beaver WV, and surrounding areas