Medical Weight Loss and BMI

Losing weight on your own can be a challenge. Medical weight-loss programs offer support and structure to help you succeed.

Medical weight loss is not a magic pill that takes off pounds, and it's not surgery. It is a physician-guided method for developing healthy eating and activity habits. This supportive, safe approach can help you attain and maintain a healthy weight.

Before you begin a medical weight-loss plan, you'll meet with a physician for a thorough evaluation of your physical and mental well-being. Certain medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism, can contribute to weight gain, while heart disease may impact your fitness plan.

Understanding and addressing these issues play a big part in attaining your weight-loss goals. During a physician-led weight-loss program, you'll meet with counselors to develop a personalized physical activity and eating plan. Your medical weight-loss team can offer advice and help whenever you need it. In some cases, physicians may recommend certain medications or supplements to compliment your wellness plan and help you reach your goal.

As part of the strategy, you'll also learn to maintain your new weight.

Don't give up if you experience a setback or gain the weight back! These programs are designed for long-term wellness support.

BMI: The More You Know

Body mass index (BMI) is a simple mathematic equation that uses weight and height to estimate whether you are at a normal rate, underweight, overweight or have obesity. This equation is a global standard used by many medical professionals, but it has limitations.

BMI does not consider factors such as age, gender, fitness level or body composition— meaning the results may not be an accurate calculation of a person's wellness. For example, muscular athletes who are measured only using BMI may fall into the overweight range. Alternatively, BMI might not account for high body fat levels in people with low-to-normal BMI results.

Other measurements, such as waist circumference, might be a more accurate method of wellness assessment and identify issues such as metabolic syndrome. A waist circumference of more than 35 inches for women and more than 40 inches for men indicate an increased risk for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Your physician can accurately assess your body mass and its impact on your health.

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