What is considered overweight?
In order to determine whether, and to what extent, you may be overweight, a good starter tool is the body mass index, or BMI. This number is calculated from your height and weight. Here’s how the BMI numbers break out:
- Under 18.5: Underweight
- 18.5-24.9: Healthy weight
- 25-29.9: Overweight
- Over 30: Obese
While these numbers don’t paint the whole picture because they don’t take bone structure and muscle mass into account, they’re a good place to start.
Why should I lose weight?
When it comes to weight issues, there’s no shortage of health complications that can be tied back to being overweight, chief among them:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease and strokes
- High blood pressure
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Certain cancers
- Sleep apnea
In some cases, weight issues have a direct causal relationship with these conditions and diseases, while sometimes extra pounds can exacerbate an existing problem. For example, high blood pressure is often a direct result of being overweight, while arthritis is made worse by the weight of extra pounds on the joints.
What weight loss programs do you offer?
At Neighborhood Medical Center, Dr. McElya offers weight loss programs designed to help you lose weight safely and permanently. Fad diets may work in the short term, but it’s usually only a matter of time before the weight starts to pile on again. Under Dr. McElya’s expert guidance, you approach your weight loss from many different angles to ensure your success. Depending upon your situation and your goals, Dr. McElya offers:
Adipex-P
Adipex-P, which is phentermine, is an appetite suppressant that you take orally once a day. Medical experts believe that phentermine may not only suppresses your appetite, but it may also help you burn more calories.
Counseling
There’s no magic bullet when it comes to weight loss so, in addition to any prescription medication, Dr. McElya works with you on nutritional and exercise programs that help you lose weight and keep it off for long-lasting results.
To learn how Neighborhood Medical Center can give you a leg up in the battle against the bulge, call or use the online booking tool to get started.
