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HealthWays
A
merica is spinning out of control when it comes to weight. With each
subsequent generation heavier than the past, a lot of factors are at work
here. New studies from the American Society of Bariatric Physicians
indicate that genetics, hormones, medications, unfavorable environmental
factors and nutritional imbalances, along with lifestyle and cultural
traditions, to name a few, all seem to play a role in the obesity epidemic.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
More than 78 million adults and 12 million children in the U.S. are considered obese,
and nearly one-quarter of Californians are in this category.
Obesity is one of the greatest health and economic threats facing the U.S.
today. The annual medical cost of obesity in America is estimated to be
nearly $150 billion.
It is due to this threat and the new studies that the American Medical
Association (AMA), in its June 2013 annual meeting, voted to declare
obesity as a medical condition/disease requiring treatment.
OBESITY DEFINED
CDC de nes obesity and overweight as a body mass index
(BMI) in ranges above what is considered healthy:
Healthy—BMI of 18.5 to 24.9
Overweight—BMI of 25 to 29.9
Obese—BMI of 30 to 39.9
Morbidly obese—BMI of 40 and above
(or BMI of 35 to 39.9 with comorbidities)
You can check your BMI online at
.
HEALTH RISKS OF OBESITY
Many health issues are associated with obesity and being overweight.
In addition to the increased risk of premature death, obese or overweight
individuals also have an increased risk of developing the following obesity-
related conditions: coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancers (including
breast, endometrial and colon), high blood pressure, stroke, dyslipidemia
(elevated total cholesterol or triglycerides), liver and gallbladder disease, sleep apnea
and respiratory problems, osteoarthritis and gynecology issues (abnormal menses,
infertility).
GOOD NEWS
According to Mary Estakhri, MD, medical director of the ValleyCare Weight
Loss Center, the good news is that obesity and being overweight can be treated.
Evidence shows that high-intensity counseling, along with behavioral interventions
that are aimed at skill development, motivation and support strategies,
produce modest, yet sustained, weight loss in adults. Further evidence
shows that health bene ts improve even with modest weight loss that is
sustained.
More good news is that as of January 1, 2014, most insurers will
cover screening and counseling for obesity that is provided by a primary
care physician or nurse practitioner.
“The clear message is that access to appropriate care for
this complex, chronic disease is medically necessary, and
insurance policies should no longer speci cally exclude obesity
treatment,” Dr. Estakhri says. “The ripple effect should also include
training for medical students in what obesity is and how it should be
best treated. It also communicates to obese individuals that this is not
a problem of personal responsibility, but rather a chronic disease, no
different from type 2 diabetes, high blood
pressure or heart disease. As a complex
disease, impacting both physical and mental
health, effective obesity care requires the
coordinated efforts of multiple health care
providers.”
VALLEYCARE’S ANSWER
NEW PROGRAM
As a result of the ndings, obesity statistics
and the recent designation by the AMA,
ValleyCare’s Weight Loss Center has
introduced the Medical Weight Loss
Program, which includes the following:
Medical evaluation and clinical
management
New dietary approach to
weight loss
Behavior
modi cation
Classes and
support groups
Consideration
for weight loss
medication
Exercise
guidance
The program is staffed
by physicians, a nurse
practitioner, registered dietitians
and psychologists. They can help
you lose the weight, improve your
health and also help you achieve an
excellent quality of life.
GETTING STARTED
If you are considering weight loss
treatment, start by coming to our free
information seminar. At this seminar,
you will have an opportunity to learn
more about medical weight loss, as
well as surgical options.
S
ports-related concussions are common—and
serious. Without proper care, concussions can
have signi cant long-term consequences such as
dementia, depression and suicide.
A concussion may be caused by a bump, blow or
severe rapid movement of the head that can change
the normal function of the brain. Every head injury is
considered serious.
In January 2012, California passed a law that
requires high school athletes to be taken out of
sports following any head injury and receive written
clearance by a physician prior to returning to play.
ImPACT
®
testing is a computerized neurocognitive
test that gives clinicians the ability to return an athlete
to safe sports participation after a head injury. The
test may also be used as a tool to gather baseline
information, which provides normal results for
comparison when a head injury does occur. The test
includes memory skills, concentration and questions
that require the individual to problem solve.
Here at ValleyCare, our Physical and Sports
Medicine department can provide sports teams with
the baseline testing. The testing is administered by
a certi ed athletic trainer in one of our computer
labs. The results are reviewed by a physician as well
as stored in the national database. Testing should be
administered before sports season begins. Scheduling is
open Monday through Friday, between 9 am and 7 pm.
Being proactive and keeping our youth safe is our
goal. Let it be yours too.
To nd out more information about ImPACT
testing at ValleyCare, please call ValleyCare
Physical and Sports Medicine at
925 373 4019
.
A
Weighty
PROBLEM
ImPACT
®
Testing
for Concussions
FREE
Weight Loss Information Seminars
April 8 and 22
May 13 and 27
June 10 and 24
For locations and times of seminars, call
the Weight Loss Center at
800-577-5030
.
ValleyCareWeight
Loss Center is located
at 5725W. Las Positas Blvd,
Suite 220, Pleasanton. For
more information, please
call us at
800 577 5030
or
visit
Sources: Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention,American Society of
Bariatric Physicians
