Weight loss is a multifaceted journey, influenced by various factors including lifestyle, genetics, and access to healthcare. This article delves into the complexities of weight loss, drawing upon the experiences of individuals, medical expertise, and research, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the process.
Understanding the Landscape of Weight Loss
The prevalence of overweight and obesity is a significant public health concern, contributing to the risk of developing several cancers and other chronic diseases. Maintaining an optimal level of energy balance-caloric expenditure relative to caloric intake-is associated with primary prevention of cancer, survival after diagnosis, and recurrence of primary cancer. It's estimated that modifiable risk factors contribute to a substantial proportion of cancer deaths worldwide.
Physical activity plays a crucial role in weight management and overall health. It is defined as any movement using skeletal muscles and can be categorized into occupational, household, transport, and recreational or leisure-time activities. Physical activity can also be of varying intensities, including light, moderate, and vigorous intensity.
The Role of Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals play a vital role in guiding individuals through their weight loss journey. MedLink Georgia, for example, offers a range of services with a team of dedicated professionals. Dr. Ahmed, the Chief Medical Officer for MedLink Georgia, received his Doctor of Medicine from Dow Medical College and completed his Residency Program at Saint Francis Hospital. He has been serving MedLink’s communities since 2016, initially brought in as a Physician/Medical Director, but through his passion for quality improvement focused on patient care, he was promoted to Chief Medical Officer in 2019. The team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, licensed clinical social workers, and registered dietitians.
Registered Dietitians (RDs) are experts in nutrition and dietetics, providing comprehensive care to patients across all age groups. Ann Whitaker, a licensed and registered Dietitian and Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at MedLink, earned her degree from Georgia State University and has been a valued member of the MedLink team since 2023. Jennifer, another Registered Dietitian, graduated from the University of Georgia Didactic Program in Dietetics and then completed her Master in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of North Florida, including an ACEND accredited supervised Dietetic Internship program.
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Nicole, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner at MedLink, sees patients ages 12 and older for their primary healthcare needs. She has a passion to create a space for equity in healthcare and believes in practicing yoga and stretching regularly.
Bariatric Surgery: A Transformative Option
For individuals who have struggled with weight loss through traditional methods, bariatric surgery can be a transformative option. Lindsey Washington, for instance, didn’t have an issue with her weight until she was in her mid-20s. She was naturally thin and didn’t give much thought to diet or exercise. However, once she quit smoking and had her daughter, she gained weight. She was plagued by health issues because of her weight, including diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and arthritis. Washington’s primary care provider referred her to Anirban Gupta, M.D., medical director for bariatric surgery at Providence Swedish. After discussing the options with Dr. Gupta, she chose to have the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Roux-en-Y is a minimally invasive procedure that limits food intake by making a small pouch at the top of the stomach. Washington has lost more than 105 pounds since she began her weight-loss journey at Swedish Health. Many of her weight-related health issues also disappeared.
Jacy Fricke made the life-changing decision to have bariatric surgery and contacted the UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital’s Minimally Invasive Bariatric and General Surgery Program. She had wanted to have gastric surgery for years, but her health insurance at the time didn’t cover it. During the required six-month pre-surgery lifestyle program, Jacy met with dietitian coordinator Lindsey Lee for monthly weigh-in sessions. Jacy was down 85 pounds by the time Bestoun H. Ahmed, MD, performed surgery. Now, Jacy no longer struggles with aches, pains, and shortness of breath and is more active.
The Importance of Diet and Lifestyle Changes
Regardless of whether an individual chooses to undergo bariatric surgery, diet and lifestyle changes are crucial for long-term weight management. A high-protein diet, as adopted by Lindsey Washington, can be effective in promoting satiety and preserving muscle mass during weight loss. Making healthier food choices and being mindful of portion sizes are also essential.
Tiffany Lee, author of "The Pink Salt Trick With Cortisol Detox Diet For Weight Loss," emphasizes the connection between metabolism, stress hormones, and electrolytes. Her guide blends the mineral magic of pink salt with a cortisol-balancing detox plan to help restore energy, improve sleep, and rebalance hormones, all while supporting healthy, sustainable weight loss. The Pink Salt Trick with Cortisol Detox Diet for Weight Loss reveals the powerful connection between your metabolism, stress hormones, and electrolytes, showing you how a simple daily ritual with pink Himalayan salt can help reset your system and unlock natural, lasting fat loss.
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Physical Activity and Cancer Prevention
Physical activity is not only beneficial for weight management but also plays a significant role in cancer prevention. Those who participate in higher levels of physical activity have a reduced likelihood of developing a variety of cancers compared to those who engage in lower levels of physical activity. Physical activity is also a useful adjunct to improve the deleterious sequelae experienced during cancer treatment, including fatigue, muscular weakness, and deteriorated functional capacity.
The most common method of ascertainment of physical activity is through the use of self-report measures. The popular method of subjective physical activity estimation is with the use of physical activity questionnaires. To assess physical activity, there are four parameters that may be estimated: frequency, intensity, time, and type. Frequency is the number of days per week dedicated to engaging in physical activity. Intensity is how strenuous or how physically demanding a single bout of physical activity is. Time is the length of a single bout of physical activity, measured in minutes or hours. Type is the modality of physical activity, and frequently includes aerobic, strength, and flexibility activities.
Overcoming Challenges and Finding Support
The weight loss journey can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. Lindsey Washington spent most of her adult life avoiding pictures and social gatherings because she hated the way she looked and felt. She also was plagued by health issues because of her weight. It's important to have a support system in place, whether it's through family, friends, or a support group.
MedLink Georgia, for example, offers comprehensive care that addresses both the physical and mental health aspects of weight loss. Sharla Burrell-Stroud is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at MedLink who sees patients ages 8 to 99. Melonie is another Licensed Clinical Social Worker at MedLink with special training in providing child and infant mental health services.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Addressing weight issues early in life can have a significant impact on long-term health outcomes. Dr. McCusker, a pediatrician at MedLink, sees patients from birth through college age. By promoting healthy eating habits and physical activity from a young age, it's possible to prevent weight-related health problems later in life.
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