Carrying too much weight doesn’t only affect a person’s self-esteem. It’s also closely related to certain health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and stroke.
Despite these concerns, obesity continues to be a global health issue. According to the World Health Organization, 2.5 billion adults worldwide were considered overweight in 2022, about 890 million of them categorized as ‘living with obesity’—or those with a body mass index (BMI) ratio of over 30. Similarly, 390 million children aged five to 19 were overweight, 160 million of them obese.
Losing weight requires discipline and a comprehensive yet personalized approach. Fad diets and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it. And this is where nutritional and medical experts can help.
If you’re currently struggling with weight issues, read on as we explain what makes an integrated approach effective.
Table of Contents
Why Medical Expertise is a Must?
With obesity and excessive weight being a health issue, your physician plays a key role in determining the reasons for weight gain and helping you address them. A medical evaluation can identify whether any of these affect your complex condition:
- Genetic factors
- Disparity in energy intake and expenditure
- Hormonal imbalances
- Metabolic disorders (i.e., thyroid issues, diabetes, etc.)
Your doctor will consider the findings, including your medical history and weight loss goals, to determine the safest and most effective medical weight loss program tailored just for you. They’ll also monitor your progress and adjust the plan accordingly. For instance, they might include prescription medications, supplements, injections, and other treatments—depending on how your body responds.
Note that some treatments only work with certain patients, depending on the underlying cause of excessive weight accumulation. Additionally, some might experience potential adverse effects from certain medications, so medical supervision and guidance are paramount.
Why Nutrition Matters?
Every person’s metabolism is unique, that’s why our dietary requirements differ. All these aside, eating well and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle is crucial to shedding excess pounds. A registered nutritionist or dietitian understands this too well—making them your best allies in developing customized fat-loss meal plans.
Consuming appropriate portions of foods rich in macronutrients and micronutrients helps keep you going.
- Macronutrients: These nutrients provide the energy you need, ensuring your body’s proper function. Think protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Maintaining a well-balanced diet means restricting your macronutrient or caloric intake—measured in grams—the amount of which depends from person to person or your health goals.
- Micronutrients: Essential vitamins and minerals, which aid the body’s main processes, like digestion and hormone production, fall under this category. Vitamins B, C, calcium, magnesium, and potassium are typically measured in milligrams (mg) or micrograms (mcg).
- Creating personalized meal plans: A nutritionist determines your daily nutrient requirement by considering individual factors such as:
- Age
- Gender
- Lifestyle (activity levels, caloric intake, and expenditure)
- Diet preferences (food intolerances and allergies, etc.)
They might encourage you to use calorie counting and portion control to ensure you get enough nutrients without overeating. For instance, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, recommends limiting sugar and saturated fat intake to 10% or less of a person’s caloric requirement daily at age two. Sodium consumption must similarly be limited to 2,300 mg daily. (2)
Integrating Nutrition and Medical Expertise
A collaborative approach between healthcare professionals optimizes weight loss results. Your doctor must identify and address the causes of your condition. At the same time, your nutritionist should ensure you can keep off the extra weight for good—even while dieting.
A comprehensive weight loss plan must involve the following elements:
- Appropriate weight management solutions
- Realistic and achievable goals
- Lifestyle modifications, including sensible meal planning and preparation, regular physical activity, and proper stress management techniques
- Counseling for emotional and psychological issues (i.e., eating disorders)
Those undergoing gastric sleeve surgery must also get their bariatric surgeon on board. Some patients might need additional help from mental health professionals to embrace this life-changing transition fully.
Keeping Excess Weight off for Good
Getting rid of excess weight is the easy part. Keeping it off? Not so much. In fact, a study has discovered that around 37% of bariatric surgery patients regained substantial weight after a seven-year follow-up—primarily due to unhealthy eating behaviors. Meanwhile, recent research shows that patients who stop taking weight loss drugs can accumulate around 14% of their body weight once they get off of these popular medications.
These studies confirm what experts already know: a sustainable path to weight loss requires a mindset shift and the adoption of long-term habits. Constantly keeping in touch with professionals ensures long-term weight loss results by keeping a positive attitude toward weight loss. Building a community of supportive partners, friends, and family members can also make your weight loss journey more enjoyable, helping you stay on track.
Wrapping up
Combining nutrition and medical expertise for weight loss taps into the power of science, guaranteeing safer, more effective, and longer-term results than other options. Working with fat loss experts from start to finish allows you to get a personalized and holistic treatment that targets the causes of weight gain and boosts your health.
So, instead of following the latest diet craze, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to start your journey. Your body will thank you later.
