Frequently Asked Questions
What is obesity?
Obesity is a chronic disease affecting over 58 million Americans. Data suggest that an estimated one-third of adults across the nation suffer from the disease. Obesity is recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and various types of cancers. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death, surpassed only by cigarette smoking.
Obesity is caused by a combination of genetic, behavioral and environmental factors. The National Institute of Health indicates that an increase of 20 percent or more above desirable body weight is hazardous to health. In the presence of other diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes, lower levels of excess weight may constitute a health risk.
What health problems are associated with obesity?
Obesity is recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and various types of cancers.
Disorders such as sleep apnea, infertility, gastro-
esophageal reflux, urinary stress incontinence, osteoarthritis, idiopathic intracranial hypertension and lower extremity venous stasis disease are also associated with obesity.
88 to 97% of type II diabetes cases diagnosed among overweight individuals are a result of obesity (1).
Obesity is associated with 33% of all cases of high blood pressure (2).
Medical conditions related to obesity lead to an estimated 300,000 deaths per year, following only smoking as a cause of preventable death (3).
How can I effectively lose weight?
Our program, in accordance with recommendations by the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP), involves the prescription of weight loss medications, as appropriate, as well as personalized counseling on diet and nutrition, exercise, lifestyle changes, and the use of weight loss medications.
