Weight Loss Can Help You Live a Longer, Healthier Life

By Rachel Conley, MD

Conley
Conley

The latest data shows 39.8 percent of Americans are obese. What is obesity? It is not just the accumulation of excess fat or a high body mass index (BMI). Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, multi-factorial, neurobehavioral disease. It is complicated. It is not a matter of eating less and exercising more as so many people have often been told.

Obesity can affect the body from head to toe. It can increase the risk of many diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, arthritis, cancer and infertility. Weight loss can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, reduce joint pain, improve fatty liver disease, pulmonary disease AND skin issues, and can improve energy/mood. Weight loss can help you live a longer, healthier life.

Many people try to lose weight and get frustrated at weight loss attempts. They end up losing weight to only regain the weight they lost plus add some additional pounds. The market is flooded with the latest diet trend, weight loss gadget and exercise tool. So much misinformation exists regarding weight loss it is difficult for the average person to decipher fact from fiction. Every one promises rapid weight loss. However, some of these programs can be harmful to people, especially if you are diagnosed with a medical problem or are taking medications.

It is best to discuss weight loss options with your primary care physician so they can determine if it may be best for you to see a bariatric physician, a doctor with specialized training in weight loss medicine.

Physician Rachel Conley is a board certified in internal medicine and bariatric medicine. She practices at Helendale Dermatology & Medical Spa and specializes in a number of cosmetic procedures and medically supervised weight loss. For more information, visit www.helendaledermatology.com or call 585-266-5420.