You're "Obese"- Now What?

Yesterday's WAKE UP blog entry referred to the USPSTF recommendation that all patients who have a BMI >30 should be referred to an "intensive, multicomponent behavioral intervention" in order to lose weight and therefore decrease their health risk. These recommendations are evidence-based, focusing on patient outcomes (disease states, not purely lab numbers).

What is "intensive"? 

• 12-26 sessions per year (often weekly to begin, then monthly.)

What is "multicomponent"?

• Individual or group sessions with physicians, dietitians, and other trained providers
• Include physical activity
• Address issues that keep people from changing behaviors
• Encourage self-monitering of nutrition and exercise

What results can be expected? 

• Weight loss typically ranges from 8.8-15.4 pounds in the first year
• Glucose tolerance is greatly improved- in fact,  that there is a 50% decrease in new diabetes diagnoses in only 2-3 years 
• Cardiovascular risk factors are improved (lower cholesterol & lower blood pressures)

If your BMI is >30, you are more likely to develop heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, certain cancers (esophagus, breast, uterine, colon, kidney, thyroid,  and gall bladder). It doesn't matter if you LOOK "okay"- this is NOT a cosmetic issue! While 15 pounds may not be all you need to lose, often that is enough weight loss to make a very significant positive impact on your health

BOTTOM LINE: Talk with your doctor about your BMI at this year's annual physical, and prioritize a healthier lifestyle starting today.