Weight Loss Management

People tend to focus on diet and exercise for a personal weight loss plan. However, you may be struggling with other causes of obesity. To reverse obesity and manage weight scientifically, a qualified physician must tailor treatment plans to address a full range of factors, including:

Environmental

People dealing with obesity often interact with their environment in ways that make it difficult to lose weight. For example, environmental stressors such as living with someone who is also overweight, struggling with family or work difficulties, or even having a long commute can all interfere with the ability to focus on self-care and healthy living.

Psychological

Mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety, can contribute to weight gain. Other psychological factors that can make it hard to lose weight include disordered eating habits, binge-eating behavior, negative self-talk, “all or nothing” thinking patterns, and “people-pleasing” personality types.

Behavioral

Sleep habits, physical activity, beverage selection, and meal planning are all behavioral activities that can affect health and weight.

Insomnia, sleep apnea, or certain medications can cause inadequate sleep patterns that affect the ability to feel rested for an active lifestyle. Addressing an underlying sleep problem can have a significant impact on losing weight.

When tired from a poor night’s sleep, people may turn to caffeinated, high-calorie beverages like sugary sodas and coffee products for energy. Alcoholic drinks also contribute to excessive calorie intake and can disrupt sleep patterns. One of the fastest ways to gain weight is drinking too many calories, and people often overlook beverages as a cause of weight gain.

In addition to sleeping and drinking habits, eating without a structured plan can affect the ability to lose weight. Behaviors like skipping meals early in the day, followed by excessive hunger and overeating later can be causes of weight gain. In addition, without a good meal plan, you will likely make poor food choices like fast and processed foods.

Functional

Physical medical problems like arthritis, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, or headaches can limit sufficient exercise. In addition, conditions that affect cognitive function, such as autism or intellectual disabilities, can make it difficult to understand and engage in healthy eating behaviors. Addressing these needs first can set a better foundation for working on weight loss.

Biological

One of the most common biological causes of obesity is insulin resistance. This condition causes glucose to accumulate in the blood and may lead to diabetes. Insulin resistance usually does not show symptoms and must be diagnosed with a laboratory test. Scientists have also discovered certain genetic and hormonal factors that may contribute to obesity.

Another biological consideration is an increased appetite caused by common drugs like beta blockers, insulin, and mental-health medications.