Many of us struggle with weight issues for much of our lives. Whether it’s through genetics, appetite problems, or other issues, it’s something many of us deal with. There is a host of health hazards associated with being overweight. In fact, two-thirds of American adults are affected by obesity, making it a public health crisis in our country.
Genetics plays a significant role in the risk of developing obesity. Heritability studies show that **40–70%** of variability in BMI is genetically influenced ([Heritability of body mass index based on twin studies: a Meta-analysis] – PubMed). Interestingly, adoption studies show adopted children resemble their biological parents’ BMI—not their adoptive parents (An adoption study of human obesity – PubMed).
Genes provide a genetic background for developing obesity, but environment is also critically important. Even individuals with high genetic risk sometimes only develop obesity in environments with:
- high‑calorie food availability
- chronic stress
- insufficient sleep
- medications that promote weight gain
- low physical activity
On the other hand, some people seemed destined to be overweight despite exercising and watching what they eat, just as others maintain a normal weight despite eating as much as they want.
If you count yourself needing to lose weight for your health and appearance, it can be difficult to know who you can turn to for help. Many people find they can lose weight on their own by watching their diet and exercising in their 20s and 30s, but with age it gets more difficult to lose weight. Fortunately, there are specialists out there called weight loss doctors that know the best methods for helping you reach your weight loss goal. That includes developing a plan that includes basic nutrition and exercise recommendations that fit within your lifestyle and budget. Given the strong role of genes and biology in determining our weight, it is not surprising that some people require medications to help them lose weight and keep it off.
Developing a Weight Loss Plan
When developing a weight loss plan, there are a lot of factors that should be considered for the best results. Those include how much weight the patient wants to lose; the best exercise regimen based on their physical shape; if they have any current health issues; and whether medication or surgery should be considered. A doctor can also help uncover previously undiagnosed diseases through the physical exam that need to be monitored.
The patient will typically go through a physical exam as part of an evaluation that includes medical, diet, and family history. From there, the weight loss doctor formulates a plan that uses diet, exercise and pharmacotherapy with weight-loss medication.
How a Weight Loss Doctor Can Help
Excess weight can be both physically and emotionally exhausting to a person, especially if your girth has been causing serious health problems.
Those dealing with obesity run a higher risk of everything from joint weakness to heart disease (Causal role of high body mass index in multiple chronic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of Mendelian randomization studies | BMC Medicine | Full Text); Body-mass index and all-cause mortality: individual-participant-data meta-analysis of 239 prospective studies in four continents – PubMed).
A medical weight loss doctor has the education, experience and sensitivity to help patients lose weight and improve their health. The newer weight loss medications, GLP-1 agonists, like semaglutide or tirzepatide, can be very effective, but can also cause significant side effects, emphasizing why medical monitoring and guidance is critical when using medications to assist weight loss.
How BeLite Can Help
At BeLite Medical Center, we understand that successful weight loss is a multifaceted journey. Our comprehensive approach combines weight loss medications, personalized exercise plans, and healthy diet strategies. If you’ve been struggling to reach your weight goals, our expert team is here to guide you.
Booking appointments is simple with our online portal available 24/7 at BELITE MEDICAL CENTER | Scheduling and Booking Website. You can also call or text us at (703) 359-9200, or email belitemed@gmail.com. We offer free consultations for new patients. If you choose not to enroll, there is no charge. We serve patients across Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., the DMV area, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Patients do not sign treatment contracts and can stop coming at any time.
Disclaimer
Medical Disclaimer: This blog post is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not intended to substitute for consultation with a licensed healthcare provider. Readers should not use this information to diagnose or treat a medical or health condition without consulting an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Any reliance on the information in this blog is at the reader’s own risk. Individual weight loss results vary based on personal health status and adherence to medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is created by accessing or reading this content.
BeLite can help patients translate emerging obesity-medicine evidence into an individualized plan that considers efficacy, tolerability, nutrition, muscle preservation, long-term maintenance, and access.BeLite Medical Center has provided physician-supervised medical weight management in Fairfax, Virginia since 1995. Our clinic offers in-person medical supervision — with the ability to adjust medications and monitor your progress in real time — that fully virtual services cannot match.Booking appointments is simple with our online scheduling portal, available 24/7. You can also call or text us at (703) 359-9200, or email belitemed@gmail.com. We offer free consultations for new patients — if you choose not to enroll, there is no charge. We serve patients across Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., the DMV area, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Patients do not sign treatment contracts and can stop coming at any time
Medical Disclaimer
This blog post is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not intended to substitute for consultation with a licensed healthcare provider. Readers should not use this information to diagnose or treat a medical or health condition without consulting an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Any reliance on the information in this blog is at the readers own risk. Individual weight loss results vary based on personal health status and adherence to medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is created by accessing or reading this content.
Reviewed by Richard Rothman, MD, PhD — Medical Director, BeLite Medical Center.
About Richard B Rothman MD, PhD, Medical Director, BeLite Medical Center
Dr. Rothman is the Medical Director of BeLite Medical Center, which has been helping patients lose weight in the Northern Virginia area since 1996. Board certified in Psychiatry, Dr. Rothman earned his M.D. and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Virginia in 1982.
