Obesity

Understanding Obesity

Influential Factors for Obesity

Obesity occurs gradually as you take in more calories than you burn. The right amount of calories for you depends on your individual body type. Many factors impact obesity including:

• What you eat
• How much you eat
• Physical activity
• Genetic make-up

Additional factors that can impact your body and lead to obesity include:

• Other health conditions
• Medicines
• Socioeconomic factors
• Emotions
• Sleep habits
• Smoking
• Environment

Obesity and Resulting Risks

Obesity can cause many serious health conditions, including:

• Coronary artery disease
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Metabolic syndrome

Obesity can also put you at increased risk for:

• Certain cancers
• Osteoarthritis
• Sleep apnea
• Breathing problems
• Gall stones

The longer you remain obese, the more likely you will acquire serious health conditions.

How We Can Help

At IU Health, Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss experts find the right weight loss program for your individual needs. Your physicians will conduct a thorough assessment of your overall health and mental state.

They will spend time educating you about your surgical and non-surgical options. They will consult with the physicians treating other health conditions you may have, to provide comprehensive and collaborative care for your individual needs.

Your IU Health physicians will address all facets of obesity—the causes, prevention and treatment. Your physicians’ affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine means they will use an advanced care model to help you achieve your best health.

The American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery have recognized your IU Health physicians for their demonstrated track record in helping adult patients control their weight.

What are Treatment Options for Obesity?

IU Health physicians will use a variety of treatments, including surgery, counseling and lifestyle changes, to teach you to control and manage your weight, and minimize the other health problems obesity can create. At IU Health, your physicians will empower and support you to improve your quality of life using the following treatments:

Nutrition

Nutrition counseling uses a personalized approach to help you make better nutrition choices to meet your individual health needs. Your physician or dietitian will evaluate your current diet and make suggestions for improvements, such as adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet, cutting calories or reducing your intake of fatty foods.

Nonsurgical weight loss

We emphasize a long-term commitment to eating well, exercising and living your life in ways that help you maintain your focus on losing weight and keeping it off.

Bariatric surgery

If you are severely obese with a BMI of 35 or higher, one of several bariatric surgeries may help you lose weight. Your options may include:

• Gastric band surgery
• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery
• Sleeve gastrectomy

Exercise

As part of your weight loss plan, a physiologist or personal trainer will teach you how to exercise in a way to strengthens your body while also burning off calories. Exercise not only helps you lose weight, it can help you maintain weight loss, as well as keep your heart and other body systems healthy.

Seminars

IU Health experts offer free monthly seminars in several locations to educate you about surgical and non-surgical weight loss options. They also offer online seminars and in-person individual counseling to meet your needs.

These workshops include talks from a bariatric surgeon and a registered dietician. They will educate you about the pre- and post-operation process and different surgeries. They will also discuss non-surgical medical weight loss options.

Bariatric support groups

Before and after bariatric surgery, your monthly support groups will introduce you to others who share similar experiences. You can learn how others handle post-op challenges, exchange recipes and know you are not alone in your challenges.

Your physician will require you to attend these support groups as part of your preparation for surgery. IU Health experts also offer online support groups.

Research

Your physicians will have access to the latest research on obesity and diabetes in adults through two centers: the Center for Diabetes Research and the Diabetes Translational Research Center, both at the IU School of Medicine.