Thinking about your weight? Here's how to talk to your doctor
Talking about weight can be tough. Even someone who feels ready for a doctor's help may find the conversation awkward. People living with excess weight can feel judged, stigmatized or embarrassed, "or maybe they are unaware that their condition is something that needs to be medically treated," said Dr. Deepika Laddu, an associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University…
This article discusses the challenges and importance of discussing weight with healthcare professionals. Dr. Deepika Laddu, an associate professor at Northwestern University, notes that people with excess weight may feel judged or unaware of the need for medical treatment. Similarly, doctors may be reluctant to address the topic due to fear of patient reactions or inadequate training.
However, it is crucial to have this conversation as excess weight can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. While traditional measures like BMI have limitations, doctors should consider other factors like waist size and blood markers when assessing a patient's health. If weight loss is necessary, doctors should initiate the conversation, and patients should feel empowered to bring it up as well.
Popular medications like GLP-1s can provide a direct approach to weight loss treatment, but a comprehensive, personalized approach involving diet, exercise, and potentially surgery is essential.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
