WHAT IS OBESITY?
Obesity is defined as excess adipose (fat) tissue in the body that promotes metabolic dysfunction and has many health consequences. It is a disease that affects approximately 69% of the US population and is directly linked to many other chronic health conditions. In 2013 the American Medical Association (AMA) adopted Resolution H-440.842 Recognition of Obesity as a Disease. “Our AMA recognizes obesity as a disease state with multiple pathophysiological aspects requiring a range of interventions to advance obesity treatment and prevention.”
Obesity is directly linked to causing type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperlipidemia (elevated cholesterol), gallstones, fatty liver disease, heart disease, degenerative joint disease, GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), apnea, asthma, and other respiratory conditions just to name a few. Obesity is no longer viewed with the stigma it once was and treatment has really started to pick up speed in recent years.
Dr. Fiolakemi Sowemimo is board certified in Internal Medicine as well as Obesity Medicine. Her approach to medical weight loss utilizes the four treatment pillars (Nutrition, Physical Activity, Behavior, and Medication) to create individualized treatment plans for helping you achieve your health goals. We have a Registered Dietician on staff as well as a referral program with CentraState Fitness & Wellness Center.
THE FOUR TREATMENT PILLARS AT A GLANCE
Nutrition
What is Nutrition? Nutrition is simply the process of obtaining the food necessary for health and growth. Our body needs certain elements to function properly, obtain energy, and grow. These elements include Macronutrients such as Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Fat – Micronutrients such as Vitamins, Minerals, and trace elements – and Water. Our registered dietician will give you the information you will need to cultivate a healthy relationship with food.
Physical Activity
Physical activity on even the smallest level improves health. It is essential for promoting good health, key in reducing stress, medications and pain, and instrumental in improving the body’s metabolic processes. A customized prescription for fitness will be the best “medicine” for making successful behavior and lifestyle changes. Get ready to find the healthy you!
Behavior
Our behavior is governed by many different things such as our emotions, environmental influences, and sleep just to name a few. By giving attention to, and including this element in weight loss and treatment management, we can help you learn how to modify negative learned or inherited behaviors and replace them with positive and healthy alternatives. We will guide you through the different stages of behavioral change so you can walk away from this program feeling confident in the food choices and lifestyle changes you worked hard to make.
Medication
Medication can be used in conjunction with life style changes, nutrition education, and increased physical activity to complement your weight loss treatment plan. With careful medical monitoring, utilizing medication can help propel your treatment.
Call our office today at 732-252-6688 to learn more about how we can help you find the healthy you!
