Obesity is a significant health challenge in Broward County, Florida, necessitating comprehensive and integrated strategies. This article explores the importance of medical weight loss programs and integrated primary care services available in Broward, highlighting their benefits, approaches, and the healthcare professionals dedicated to helping individuals achieve sustainable weight loss and improved overall well-being.
Understanding Medical Weight Loss
Medical weight loss is a comprehensive and medically supervised approach to weight management. Unlike fad diets or one-size-fits-all programs, medical weight loss is tailored to meet individual needs and health goals. Primary care doctors and weight loss specialists collaborate to develop personalized plans that address the root causes of weight gain and empower individuals to make positive lifestyle changes.
The Importance of Medical Weight Loss
Excess weight can contribute to a range of health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems, and more. Medical weight loss not only focuses on shedding pounds but also on improving overall health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. These programs emphasize the value of sustainable weight loss through healthy eating, increased physical activity, and behavioral modifications.
Evidence-Based Approach
Medical weight loss programs are grounded in scientific research and the latest medical guidelines. Every individual’s weight loss journey is unique, and programs are designed to adapt and evolve as individuals progress toward their goals.
Long-Term Success and Maintenance
The goal is not just short-term weight loss, but long-term success and weight maintenance. Individuals are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to sustain their weight loss and continue making healthy choices throughout their lives. Support continues even after reaching the goal weight, with ongoing guidance in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
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The Role of Integrated Primary Care
The integration of weight loss strategies with primary care services provides a holistic plan for effective weight loss and improved health. Primary care providers (PCPs) play a vital role in weight management by assessing health conditions that hinder weight loss, such as heart disease and diabetes, thereby aiding in losing weight and elevating overall well-being.
Personalized Weight Management Plans
Personalized weight management plans are designed around an individual's lifestyle, needs, and preferences. These plans are tailored to dietary preferences, physical capabilities, medical history, and stress levels, ensuring a plan that resonates and boosts the chances of success.
Bridging the Gap: Integrating Primary Care and Weight Loss
Bridging the gap between weight loss and primary care is crucial for combating obesity. PCPs serve as key players in identifying weight-related concerns and offering comprehensive support.
The advantages of integrating weight loss into primary care are multifaceted:
- Enhanced weight loss outcomes
- Reduced healthcare expenses
- Increased patient satisfaction
- Elevated awareness of weight-related health risks
How Doctors Can Help With Weight Management
Medical management is important in weight loss because some medical conditions (like low thyroid or excessive stress) can contribute to weight gain or make weight loss difficult. Women may also have trouble losing weight because they are designed for childbearing; gaining weight easily and retaining it even with less food is a survival trait that protects both mother and child. Each woman is a unique individual who needs a weight loss program tailored to her situation and health needs. State-of-the-art equipment and software can “fingerprint” the patient. For example, the resting metabolic rate (RMR) is an indication of how many calories a person burns at rest. A high RMR means it will be easier to lose weight, so part of the treatment is to increase the RMR with exercise and by building muscle mass. Registered dieticians design customized meal plans that can be modified for personal likes and dislikes or cultural needs.
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Determining if You Are Overweight
Although the mirror is usually a good tool, body weight alone isn’t always a good indicator. Someone who is very muscular may weigh more but not be too fat since muscles weigh more than fat. The body mass index (BMI) is a useful tool to determine how much of body weight is fat. BMI is a ratio calculated from comparing height to weight. A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, while a range from 25 and 29.9 indicates overweight. Obesity occurs with a BMI of 30 or above.
Weight Loss Medications and Treatments
Several medications and treatments are available to aid in weight loss, often used in conjunction with lifestyle modifications. These include:
- Phentermine: Typically prescribed for individuals who are obese and have been unable to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.
- Wegovy: Typically prescribed as part of a comprehensive weight management program that includes a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It is administered once a week as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin).
- Saxenda: Typically used as part of a comprehensive weight management program that includes a reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and behavioral modifications.
- Contrave: A prescription medication that is used for weight management in adults who are overweight or have obesity.
- Other Weight Loss Aids: A new medication has recently been approved by the FDA as a suppressant to aid in weight loss, costing $125 weekly or $500 monthly. Additionally, there are medications being developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, targeting the metabolism of fats (lipids) in the body.
Spotlight on Healthcare Professionals: Kira Fenton, DO
Kira Fenton, DO, is a board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine and bariatric (obesity) medicine. With over 11 years of experience, Dr. Fenton treats patients in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding South Florida neighborhoods at Prestige Physicians. She also teaches internal medicine residents at Broward Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.
Dr. Fenton earned her medical doctorate from Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale after graduating from the University of Florida in Gainesville in 2003. She is board-certified in both internal medicine and bariatric medicine and is a certified Botox® provider.
Dr. Fenton’s interest in bariatric and obesity medicine stems from the correlation between weight and chronic diseases like sleep apnea, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, joint pain, gastrointestinal reflux disease, hyperlipidemia, and more. She is dedicated to treating and preventing obesity to improve her patients' overall health and well-being. As an expert, Dr. Fenton educates her patients on proper nutrition, physical activity, and surgical and nonsurgical treatments to improve their quality of life.
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The Importance of Weight Loss
Excess weight has been implicated in a number of health conditions and diseases. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of diabetes and can also contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Excessive weight places stress on joints, especially in the hip, knee, and ankle, which can lead to degeneration of the cartilage and cause pain.
Available Services and Insurance
Clinics such as A New Life OB/GYN of Broward, LLC, which is part of Florida Woman Care, LLC, accept most major insurance plans, including HMO, PPO, POS, EPO, Medicare, and Tricare, including Covered Florida Exchange plans (Obamacare). It is advisable to contact the specific clinic for more information on accepted insurance plans.