Family physician Sheryl Simpson, DO, encourages patients to strive for optimal health, and sometimes that means losing weight. Dr. Simpson and the team at Howell Family Care offer nutritional management and other weight-loss programs to help you shed extra pounds in a safe, effective manner. To discover how weight loss can improve your life, call or book an appointment online at the Howell, Michigan, office.
Obesity is a term that describes too much body fat. It’s easy to determine whether or not you’re obese by measuring your body mass index (BMI) with an online BMI calculator. Before doing this, you need to know your weight and height.
If your BMI falls between 25 and 29.9, you’re overweight, but not obese. A BMI of 30 or above indicates obesity, while a BMI of 40 or above means you’re very obese.
Obesity is a widespread health problem that may lead to serious, even life-threatening, complications. Compared to people with a normal body weight, people with obesity are at greater risk for many severe medical conditions, such as:
Heart disease and stroke
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Gallbladder disease
Type 2 diabetes
Osteoarthritis
Sleep apnea
Mental illness
Joint pain
Low quality of life
Obesity is also a risk factor for several types of cancer, including breast, endometrial, colon, and liver cancers.
If you are obese, or even if you’re just overweight, losing even a small percentage of excess body fat can make a tremendous difference in how you look and feel.
Many men, women, and even children want to lose weight for an improved appearance. While this is a benefit that often leads to increased self-esteem, weight loss improves your overall well-being in many ways.
Studies show that even modest weight loss, as little as 5-10% of your original weight, improves your health. Weight loss can improve your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of several chronic diseases.
First, Dr. Simpson or a member of the team at Howell Family Care performs a physical exam and reviews your medical history. They discuss your lifestyle habits and weight loss goals, then develop an individualized plan to help you successfully lose weight and keep it off.
Depending on your needs, Dr. Simpson may recommend a nutritional management plan or prescribe medications to suppress your appetite. Even with diet and appetite suppressants, it’s important to establish an exercise routine to maintain long-term health benefits of weight loss.
To get started on your weight-loss journey, call Howell Family Care or book an appointment online today.