The term weight control is used to refer to the management and maintenance of a healthy body weight, often done with the help of a doctor or medical professional. Everyone’s healthy body weight will be slightly different based on their age, height, gender, body shape and body composition. A doctor can help you determine what your BMI is, which can then be used to figure out if you are underweight, healthy weight, overweight or obese.

From there, you can work together to figure out what your ideal weight should be and, if needed, come up with a plan to get there. With so many fad and crash diets, diet pills and weight loss miracle plans on the market, it can be hard to know where to turn if you are looking to get your weight under control. Many of these weight loss techniques are not only unhealthy, they can also be dangerous, particularly for someone who is obese or has existing medical conditions, whether they are related to the extra weight or not.

In its simplest mathematical form, obesity and being overweight are the result of more calories being consumed than being burned up or used in a day. Our bodies need the fuel from food in order to perform everyday functions, meaning our bodies burn calories even if we aren’t participating in strenuous workouts every day. That being said, there are other factors that can contribute to a person being obese. This can include environmental and lifestyle factors, psychological factors, genetic factors and medical conditions.

Choosing the right kinds of food and getting in some physical activity can help people to control their weight, as well as slowly lose excess weight. Emotions can also play a big part in your weight, particularly for people who suffer from depression and anxiety. Boredom and binge eating are also psychological factors that can impact weight. Sometimes obesity can also appear to run in a family, with overweight or obese parents having kids with similar weight issues.

This isn’t always the case though, so it isn’t known if the issue is a genetic one, or if its through lifestyle factors that subsequent generations learn from their parents. Certain medical conditions and their corresponding medication may also cause weight issues, due to the medication slowing down the body’s metabolic rate.

Being overweight or obese can lead to a large number of medical conditions if left unmanaged. Not only does the extra weight put additional stress and strain on the joints, leading to an increased chance of arthritis and other joint pain, it also affects the functionality of many of the internal organs. The higher the weight, the higher the chance of developing one or more of these medical conditions. A person who is overweight has a higher likelihood for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, gallbladder issues, gallstones, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and other breathing problems, and certain types of cancers.

People who are overweight, and particularly those who are obese, also have a shorter life expectancy. The good news is that many of these issues can be managed, and the risks lowered by working with a doctor to help lower your weight and overall body fat. The preference would be to lower the weight and the body fat before any serious medical conditions arise as opposed to having to take drastic measures as the result of a major health episode such as a stroke or heart attack.

With so many different commercials, advertisements, social media feeds and products for sale, it can be hard to know what the best option is for losing weight. Your doctor should always be your first point of contact for any concerns you have about your health and wellbeing, including your weight and any goals of losing weight. With their access to your complete medical records, and their ability to perform a proper physical exam, they can help you figure out the best route to go to lose the weight in a healthy and safe manner.

They can refer you to someone who specializes in medical weight loss, such as the team at OmniLife Wellness, who can cover all of the facets of weight loss. Depending on the person, and the reason for their current weight, a team of medical professionals involved in a weight loss plan can include dieticians, psychologists, doctors, physical therapists and any other expert necessary to ensure the weight loss is healthy, safe and sustainable. For more information, call us today or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 8380 Warren Pkwy #100 Frisco TX 75034. We serve clients from Frisco TX, Allen TX, Prosper TX, Addison TX, Plano TX, and Colony TX.