By Angela Golden, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP
Obesity is a complex disease with a web of interlocking causes that are unique to each patient, including genetics, nutrition, hormones, medication, environment, and sleep. Unfortunately, the frequency of obesity cases in the United States continues to rise. A serious disease that continues to grow in prevalence, obesity currently affects more than one-third of US adults and can lead to other serious conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
However, a spectrum of treatment options exists to help patients with obesity achieve their health goals, including nutritional adjustments, physical activity, behavioral changes, anti-obesity medications, and for certain patients, surgical approaches.
As clinicians, it is our responsibility to understand every treatment option available, share guidance-supported solutions with patients with obesity, and provide personalized advice to help these patients determine which options are right for them.
I urge patients with obesity to consider a few principles in regard to the evaluation of potential eating plans while embarking on their journey for treatment of obesity:
› Focus on minimizing intake of highly/ultraprocessed foods and instead move toward more
whole foods.
› Reach for high-fiber, complex carbohydrates versus items that include added sugar.
› Read food labels to become familiar with serving sizes and ingredient lists.
› Track meals, snacks, and any drinks to build a resource of data that can continue to guide food plan selections.
For patients with obesity who are striving to incorporate fitness routines or habits into their daily lives, I recommend:
1l Moving more! From parking a little further away at the office to walking for 10 minutes during a lunch break or taking the stairs instead of the elevator, there are a variety of ways to incorporate more movements into daily routines.
2l Physical activity can, and should, be enjoyable. I encourage patients to find an enjoyable activity to incorporate into their daily routines, such as dancing or listening to a book or podcast while walking.
3l Add in resistance training. I recommend patients strive to complete resistance training twice per week.
