Obesity is a chronic medical condition in which excess build-up of fat leads to potentially adverse health conditions. Diseases such as type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol/high triglycerides, heart disease, and even cancer are more likely in people who are obese than people who are in the desirable weight.

And while multiple factors may be involved in how obesity develops in the first place, counseling and comprehensive lifestyle interventions can improve the condition and create long lasting results. Interventions include nutrition and dietary modifications, behavioral nutrition therapy (BNT) and physical activity, providing you the foundation for clinical obesity management.

To diagnose obesity, your primary care physician will typically perform a physical exam and recommend some tests. If deemed medically necessary, your doctor will refer you to a Registered Dietitian for weight management.

Exams and tests to determine risk generally include :

• Taking your health history: Report of your weight history, medications, stress levels, and your family’s health history to see if you may be predisposed to certain conditions. Done by your primary care physician.
• A general physical exam: measuring your height: checking vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and temperature; listening to your heart and lungs; and examining your abdomen. Done by your primary care physician.
• A general physical exam: measuring your height: checking vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and temperature; listening to your heart and lungs; and examining your abdomen. Done by your primary care physician.
• Checking for other health problems: If you have known health problems, your doctor will evaluate them. Your doctor will also check for other possible health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Your doctor may also recommend certain heart tests, such as an electrocardiogram.
• Blood tests: What tests you have depend on your health, risk factors and any current symptoms you may be having. Blood tests may include a cholesterol test, liver function tests, a fasting glucose, a thyroid test and others. Done by your primary care physician.
• Calculating your BMI: A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obesity. Numbers higher than 30 increase your health risks even more. Your BMI should be checked at least once a year to determine your overall health risks.
• Measuring your waist circumference: Fat stored around your waist, sometimes called visceral fat or abdominal fat, may further increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Women with a waist measurement (circumference) of more than 35 inches (89 centimeters, or cm) and men with a waist measurement of more than 40 inches (102 cm) may have more health risks than do people with smaller waist measurements. Like the BMI measurement, your waist circumference should be checked at least once a year.

Providing medical records and/or a referral that includes obesity diagnosis is required prior to your visit at Pro Nutrition Counseling PLLC., to guide treatment decisions and nutrition interventions. Please fax required documents to FAX: (833) 411-7646.