What should a weight-loss program include?

Obesity is a serious health condition, but it is also a manageable health condition. Treating and managing obesity has two main goals, reducing weight and maintaining a healthier weight. Treatment should also address any health conditions that coexist alongside obesity. Common coexisting conditions include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and depression.

How these goals are best achieved will vary from one person to the next, which is why partnering with a healthcare provider to treat obesity is so important.

What should you look for in a weight loss program?

There is no best approach to treating obesity, and different people will need different things from their treatment plan. With that in mind, here are four components to look for when choosing or building a weight reduction program:

Safe and effective methods to lose weight

As stated above, the main goals of treating obesity are reducing weight and maintaining a healthier weight following that weight reduction. Every weight-loss program will include lifestyle changes—changes to the foods that you eat and the amount of physical activity you get each day. In many cases, treatment begins with lifestyle changes.

In addition to lifestyle changes, treatment may also include weight-loss medications. In some cases, a healthcare provider may discuss bariatric surgery (surgery that reduces the size of the stomach). When discussing any treatment option, ask questions about how the treatment works, what risks or side effects are involved, and bring up any concerns that you have.

A realistic weight-loss goal

Another question to ask when discussing a treatment—how much weight can you expect to lose and how long it should take to lose that amount of weight. A common initial weight-loss goal is often losing between 5 and 10 percent of bodyweight in six months. However, weight loss goals will vary from person to person. Realistic goals and expectations should be a part of your discussions with a healthcare provider when choosing a treatment.

Guidance and support

Weight loss is more than moving a number on a scale. It involves making major changes to your day-to-day life and habits. It can involve making decisions about medications and surgery, including considerations about side effects and costs. It involves coping with setbacks, which are a normal part of the process. Support and guidance are essential. This can include emotional and social support from friends, loved ones, a support group, and your healthcare team. It can also include practical support from healthcare providers, who can answer your questions, recommend strategies, and address your concerns.

A plan for what comes next

Obesity is not considered curable, and managing the condition should be looked at as an ongoing process. In addition to including safe and effective methods to lose weight, an obesity treatment plan should also include safe and effective methods for maintaining weight loss and preventing weight gain. Keeping track of weight, continuing to follow an eating plan, and continuing to exercise are essential to long-term success.

What healthcare providers treat obesity?

If you have a primary care provider, or you are working with a specialist to treat another health condition, these are often a good place to start. An example of a specialist would be an endocrinologist, a healthcare provider a person may be working with if they are also managing diabetes. If you are working with a mental health professional, this could be another healthcare provider you discuss weight-loss treatment with—counseling is often an important part of a treatment plan.

You may also consider working with an obesity medicine specialist, or you may be referred to an obesity medicine specialist by one of your current healthcare providers. Treatment may involve working with several providers with different specialties.