DiagnosisTo diagnose obesity, your doctor will typically perform a physical exam and recommend some tests. Show
These exams and tests generally include:
Gathering this information will help you and your doctor choose the type of treatment that will work best for you. TreatmentThe goal of obesity treatment is to reach and stay at a healthy weight. This improves overall health and lowers the risk of developing complications related to obesity. You may need to work with a team of health professionals — including a dietitian, behavioral counselor or an obesity specialist — to help you understand and make changes in your eating and activity habits. The initial treatment goal is usually a modest weight loss — 5% to 10% of your total weight. That means that if you weigh 200 pounds (91 kilograms), you'd need to lose only about 10 to 20 pounds (4.5 to 9 kilograms) for your health to begin to improve. However, the more weight you lose, the greater the benefits. All weight-loss programs require changes in your eating habits and increased physical activity. The treatment methods that are right for you depend on your obesity severity, your overall health and your willingness to participate in your weight-loss plan. Dietary changesReducing calories and practicing healthier eating habits are vital to overcoming obesity. Although you may lose weight quickly at first, steady weight loss over the long term is considered the safest way to lose weight and the best way to keep it off permanently. There is no best weight-loss diet. Choose one that includes healthy foods that you feel will work for you. Dietary changes to treat obesity include:
Be wary of quick fixes. You may be tempted by fad diets that promise fast and easy weight loss. The reality, however, is that there are no magic foods or quick fixes. Fad diets may help in the short term, but the long-term results don't appear to be any better than other diets. Similarly, you may lose weight on a crash diet, but you're likely to regain it when you stop the diet. To lose weight — and keep it off — you must adopt healthy-eating habits that you can maintain over time. Exercise and activityIncreased physical activity or exercise is an essential part of obesity treatment:
Behavior changesA behavior modification program can help you make lifestyle changes and lose weight and keep it off. Steps to take include examining your current habits to find out what factors, stresses or situations may have contributed to your obesity.
Weight-loss medicationWeight-loss medications are meant to be used along with diet, exercise and behavior changes, not instead of them. Before selecting a medication for you, your doctor will consider your health history, as well as possible side effects. The most commonly used medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of obesity include:
Weight-loss medications may not work for everyone, and the effects may wane over time. When you stop taking a weight-loss medication, you may regain much or all of the weight you lost. Endoscopic procedures for weight lossThese types of procedures don't require any incisions in the skin. After you are under anesthesia, flexible tubes and tools are inserted through the mouth and down the throat into the stomach. Common procedures include:
Weight-loss surgeryAlso known as bariatric surgery, weight-loss surgery limits the amount of food you're able to comfortably eat or decreases the absorption of food and calories. However, this can also result in nutritional and vitamin deficiencies. Common weight-loss surgeries include:
Weight-loss success after surgery depends on your commitment to making lifelong changes in your eating and exercise habits. Other treatmentsOther treatments for obesity include:
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Clinical trialsExplore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Lifestyle and home remediesYour effort to overcome obesity is more likely to be successful if you follow strategies at home in addition to your formal treatment plan. These can include:
Alternative medicineNumerous dietary supplements that promise to help you shed weight quickly are available. The long-term effectiveness and safety of these products are often questionable. Coping and supportTalk to your doctor or therapist about improving your coping skills and consider these tips to cope with obesity and your weight-loss efforts:
Preparing for your appointmentTalking to your doctor openly and honestly about your weight concerns is one of the best things you can do for your health. In some cases, you may be referred to an obesity specialist — if one is available in your area. You may also be referred to a behavioral counselor or dietitian. What you can doBeing an active participant in your care is important. One way to do this is by preparing for your appointment. Think about your needs and goals for treatment. Also, write down a list of questions to ask. These questions may include:
Be sure to let your doctor know about any medical conditions you have and about any medications, vitamins or supplements that you take. What to expect from your doctorDuring your appointment, your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions about your weight, eating, activity, mood and thoughts, and any symptoms you might have. You may be asked such questions as:
What you can do in the meantimeIf you have time before your scheduled appointment, you can help prepare for the appointment by keeping a diet diary for two weeks prior to the appointment and by recording how many steps you take in a day by using a step counter (pedometer). You can also begin to make choices that will help you start to lose weight, including:
Sept. 02, 2021 What is the exercise prescription for weight loss and specifically fat loss?Overall, the current evidence suggests that exercise prescription for weight loss and weight maintenance should include aerobic weight-bearing exercise, performed 200-330 minutes per week and the intensity should be progressively overloaded to achieve vigorous levels of intensity.
What is the best way for an obese person to lose weight?Change your diet.
“You have to become a good record-keeper,” Dr. Eckel said. “Reduce calories by 500 calories per day to lose about a one pound a week, or cut 1,000 calories a day to lose about two pounds a week.” Consider adding physical activity after reaching a minimum of 10 percent weight-loss goal.
What physical fitness recommendation is correct for obese clients?Patients who are overweight or obese should be prescribed a volume of 45 to 60 mins of moderate-intensity activity a day (corresponding to approximately 225 to 300 mins/week of moderate-intensity physical activity or lesser amounts of vigorous physical activity) (5,8).
What are the current exercise recommendations for weight management and weight loss?Here are some guidelines to follow: To maintain your weight: Work your way up to 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, or an equivalent mix of the two each week.
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