Weight Loss
Did you know that 73% of American adults are considered overweight and 42% are considered obese? If you fall into one of these categories, don’t fret. We created this guide to help you understand your condition.
What is body mass index (BMI) and how do I know if I am overweight/obese?
The body mass index or BMI for short, is how we determine what weight category we fall into. It’s calculated by taking our weight and adjusting it for our height.
- BMI less than 25 is considered normal
- BMI between 25-29.9 is considered overweight
- BMI greater than 30 is considered obese
Why does my BMI matter and what is the health significance?
Studies have shown that obesity is associated with numerous health consequences including but not limited to:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Infertility
- Poor sleep
- Worse outcomes with Covid-19
- Arthritis
The good news is that even as little as a 5% reduction in your body weight can have noticeable health benefits.
What is the best way to lose weight?
A successful weight loss plan tackles the problem from 3 angles.
- Controlling your diet- It’s not just what you eat, but how much you eat. Studies have shown that even the most diet resistant bodies will still lose weight when intaking less than 1000 k-cals a day
- Exercise- aim for 30 minutes of activity, at least 5 days a week.
- Medication
What is Ozempic and is it good for weight loss?
You may have heard of Ozempic or its generic form- Semaglutide. It was first introduced in 2017 to treat diabetes, but later used off-label for weight loss. It works by mimicking a natural hormone we produce that helps our body feel satiated or full and needs to be injected weekly. While effective, it is not without side effects including nausea, vomiting and stomach pain.
What is the best medication for weight loss?
While Ozempic may be the most well-known, there are several other powerful medications for weight loss, many that do not require weekly injections. There is no single best drug for everyone, rather medications should be tailored to the individual.
What are the next steps?
This is where Zhu Family Medicine comes in. We are a Houston based, primary care practice located 5 minutes from the Galleria. Let us work together to craft a custom plan to help you lose weight and get your life back on track!
