What is Weight Management?
Weight management is medical guidance and support for achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight through comprehensive lifestyle modification, behavioral changes, and when appropriate, medication or other interventions. Being overweight or obese—defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 25-29.9 or 30 and above respectively—affects approximately 70% of American adults and significantly increases risk for numerous serious health conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, certain cancers, joint problems, and fatty liver disease. Conversely, being underweight can also pose health risks. Professional weight management goes beyond simple diet advice, addressing the complex biological, psychological, environmental, and behavioral factors that influence body weight. Your primary care provider serves as your partner in developing a realistic, sustainable plan tailored to your individual circumstances, health status, and goals.
Why is it Important?
Medical weight management is crucial because excess weight is a major risk factor for the leading causes of death and disability in the United States, yet many people struggle to lose weight and keep it off without professional support. Losing just 5-10% of your body weight produces significant health benefits: improved blood pressure, better cholesterol levels, reduced diabetes risk or improved blood sugar control if you already have diabetes, decreased joint pain, better sleep quality, increased energy, and improved mood. For individuals with obesity-related health conditions, weight loss can be as effective as medication—sometimes allowing dose reduction or even discontinuation of certain medications for conditions like type 2 diabetes or hypertension. Your primary care provider offers several advantages over commercial weight loss programs: medical screening to identify health conditions affecting weight (such as thyroid disorders or medication side effects), personalized plans considering your specific health conditions and limitations, prescription of FDA-approved weight loss medications when appropriate, monitoring for health improvements or complications during weight loss, coordination with other specialists if needed, and evidence-based approaches rather than fad diets. Additionally, your provider addresses psychological and behavioral aspects of eating, helps identify barriers to success, provides accountability and ongoing support, and treats weight management as the chronic medical condition it is rather than a simple matter of willpower.
What to Expect
Weight management begins with a comprehensive assessment including your weight history, previous weight loss attempts, eating and physical activity patterns, medical conditions and medications, family history, and barriers to weight loss. Your provider will measure your height, weight, and BMI, check blood pressure, and may order blood work to screen for conditions like thyroid disorders or diabetes that affect weight. Together, you'll establish realistic goals—typically aiming for 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week, which is safe and sustainable. Your personalized plan will include nutritional counseling focusing on balanced, calorie-appropriate eating rather than restrictive fad diets, portion control strategies, and identifying healthier food choices while still allowing flexibility and enjoyment. Physical activity recommendations start at your current fitness level and gradually increase, focusing on activities you enjoy and can sustain long-term. Behavioral strategies address emotional eating, stress management, sleep optimization, and environmental modifications to support healthy choices. For some patients, your provider may prescribe FDA-approved weight loss medications such as phentermine, orlistat, or newer options like GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, liraglutide) that suppress appetite and improve metabolism. Follow-up appointments, typically monthly initially, monitor your progress, adjust your plan as needed, address challenges, celebrate successes, and provide ongoing accountability and support. Your provider will also track health improvements like blood pressure and blood sugar changes that occur even before significant weight loss. For individuals with severe obesity who haven't achieved adequate weight loss with lifestyle and medications, your provider may discuss bariatric surgery referral.
How to Prepare
Before your weight management appointment, keep a food diary for at least three days (ideally including one weekend day), recording everything you eat and drink, portion sizes, and timing of meals and snacks. This provides crucial information about current eating patterns. Similarly, track your physical activity, noting type, duration, and intensity. Write down your weight history including your highest adult weight, lowest adult weight, when significant weight changes occurred, and all previous weight loss attempts with what worked and what didn't. List all medications and supplements, as many affect weight. Be prepared to discuss what triggers overeating for you—stress, boredom, social situations, certain emotions—and what barriers prevent you from exercising or eating healthfully, whether time constraints, financial limitations, medical problems, or other factors. Consider your specific goals: is your primary motivation health improvement, symptom relief, or appearance? Understanding your personal motivation helps create a meaningful plan. Bring any relevant medical records, particularly if you have diabetes, heart disease, or other obesity-related conditions. Measure your waist circumference at home before your appointment. Think about what support systems you have (or lack)—family support, time for food preparation, access to exercise facilities—as this affects planning. Most importantly, come with realistic expectations and commitment to gradual, sustainable change rather than seeking quick fixes.
Have questions about weight management? Contact Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists & Primary Care at (203) 334-2100 to schedule your appointment.
