Obesity is
a medical disease and metabolic condition characterized by higher body fat.
a major contributor to the increased risk of other health problems.
a complex condition affected by genetics, environment, and behavior its not all will power!
something millions of Americans live with every day.
a condition that can be treated!
How Do I Know If I have Obesity?
Historically obesity has been measured with "BMI" (or body mass index) which is just a measure of your weight versus your height. BMI is a rough measure - different people at the same BMI can have different levels of obesity and health outcomes. Your waist circumference, race, and family medical history can help us learn more about your risks.
How Does Obesity Affect Health?
Obesity increases the risks of numerous diseases throughout the body.
Brain Health
Cardiovascular
Cancer
Hormonal Disorders
Metabolic
Musculoskeletal
Pulmonary
Reproductive Health
Learn More About Your Risks
I've tried so many times before
You're not alone. Most individuals who try diet & exercise do not achieve sustainable weight loss. That's because weight is actually much more complex than "calories in, calories out". We believe success for each individual requires taking into account all the different elements that brought us here.
Primary drivers of obesity
Genetics & Epigenetics
Your genetics, like a family history of obesity and diabetes, can impact your likelihood to gain weight.
Hormonal Changes
When you gain weight, your hormones may change. In particular, weight actually impacts ghrelin "the hunger hormone." Often we have a "metabolic set-point" that needs to be reset and that takes time.
Environment
Our environment, such as the food around us, our work schedule, and many other considerations, can affect our ability to maintain healthy habits.
Behaviors
The food we eat and the activity we do every day are really important to our health but so are other behaviors like the quality of our sleep and how we cope with the challenges of life and take care of our mental health.
Weight loss is really complex. What do I do?
There are a number of treatment options that have proven to be safe and effective for obesity. Many people just don't know about these - that's why we're here to help.
What is it?
High-touch behavioral coaching intended to improve behaviors and address environmental challenges.
Does it work?
It doesn't work for everyone but can deliver 2-5% weight loss particularly in individuals who haven't tried intense programs previously.
Who is it for?
Generally best suited for individuals with lower obesity, those without significant comorbidities, or whose weight gain has been recent.
Is it safe?
Yes - no risks or side effects associated with behavior modification.
What is it?
Medications that have been shown to support weight loss. These include Contrave, Qsymia, Saxenda, and Wegovy. Some of these medications are known as "GLP-1s" and act to counter-act the impact of certain hormones like ghrelin.
Does it work?
Medications have been shown to deliver 5-15% weight loss as well as improving HbA1c levels in individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Individuals may react differently to different meds.
Who is it for?
Generally these medications are targeted at individuals who have a moderate amount of weight to lose.
Is it safe?
Medications do have associated side effects, most significant of which are nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. There is small risk of thyroid cancer.
What is it?
A bariatric procedure is a minimally invasive surgery that generally takes 20-60 minutes and involves reducing stomach size and, in some cases, re-arranging the intestines. This procedure reduces stomach size and reduces certain hormones in the stomach.
Does it work?
Bariatric procedures have delivered 25-30% weight loss as well as reversing diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension.
Who is it for?
Generally targeted for individuals who have higher levels of obesity or diabetes, as bariatric procedures have been shown to deliver diabetic remission.
Is it safe?
Bariatric procedures are safer than other common surgeries, such as knee replacements. There is a <0.1% mortality rate, which is equivalent to the risk of drowning in the US. However, many people experience side effects such as nausea and constipation.