The relationship between overweight/obesity and mental health is complex and bidirectional. Obesity is associated with higher rates of mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Chronic stress can influence behavior changes, endocrinopathies, immunopathies, increased body fat, worsening adipose tissue dysfunction, obesity and metabolic disease. It is crucial that mental health is addressed as part of obesity treatment for long-term success.

There are a variety of treatment options available, and this largely depends on individual patient goals. These goals might be to lose a certain percentage of body weight, to minimize central adiposity, to reduce the risk of weight-related comorbidities, to improve overall metabolic functioning, or to increase longevity and quality of life. Pharmacotherapy now has similar efficacy to surgical procedures for weight loss.

The health benefits of weight loss are profound. With just 5-10% of total body weight loss, you can prevent Type 2 DM, improve physical function, decrease blood glucose levels, and prevent or improve existing hypertension and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (now known as MASLD). With greater than 10% total cost weight loss, you can decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea. And with greater than 15% total body weight loss, a diagnosis of Type 2 DM can be in remission. These are only a few of the many benefits.

Weight loss is a complex journey with various factors influencing progress. The journey is unique for each individual due to many factors including metabolism, body composition, genetics and overall health. Progress isn’t always linear, there are several reasons why weight loss may look different from week to week. We’ll explore these in more detail soon. It is important to focus on sustainable habits, celebrate non-scale victories and most importantly, be patient with yourself.

Body positivity, body neutrality and weight loss:

There are multiple movements for self-acceptance. The body-neutral approach: your value does not depend on what you look like, focus should be on function of your body. The body-positive approach: you are beautiful no matter what, regardless of your shape, size, etc. These are not mutually exclusive. You can have beliefs about your body that fall into both categories. You can also want to make changes to your body, to enhance your health and well-being, while embracing it and loving it. At RSH&W, we promote acceptance of all bodies and help you make and maintain healthy lifestyle changes to feel and be your best!

Ready for some simple physiology and biochemistry?

The hypothalamus is a portion of your brain that helps regulates human weight. It is turned on to continuously feed, signaling to increase hunger and decrease satiety. In order to offset this evolutionary mechanism, the gastrointestinal tract sends satiety hormones to the brain to signal it stop eating when food is in the intestines and fat cells send hormones to the brain to tell the brain to stop continuous feeding.

There are many hormones involved, but GLP-1(glucagon like peptide-1) has recently come into the spotlight for its significant weight regulation potential. GLP-1 is naturally secreted upon the ingestion of food. It signals to the pancreas to enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion and decrease postprandial glucagon secretion, it signals to the liver to reduce hepatic glucose output, it signals to the stomach to slow gastric emptying and it signals to the brain to promote satiety and reduce hunger.

Medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide, which are classified as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, when used in conjunction with diet and exercise, can cause significant weight loss and a reduced risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease in people who are obese or overweight.

Struggling to make or keep healthy habits? Try the following strategies:

1. Plan ahead and use SMART goals. These goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.

2. Get support. Work with a health care provider who will listen and support you. Involve friends and family on your journey to better health.

3. Stay motivated. It takes time and a long-term commitment to make lasting health changes. Keep your goals accessible. Remind yourself of your progress often. Be kind to yourself always.

Recognizing obesity as a chronic disease is a step towards health equity. Obesity is now officially recognized as a disease by the following organizations:

American Medical Association; American Association of Endocrinology; American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery; Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institutes of Health; Obesity Action Coalition; Obesity Medicine Association; Strategies to Overcome and Prevent Obesity Alliance; The Obesity Society; World Health Organization; World Obesity Federation

It’s time we remove the stigma around this disease. Reach out to learn more about how RSH&W can help deliver compassionate, patient-centered care to get you the weight loss results you deserve.

Diet and exercise are often not enough for those who struggle to lose weight. We prescribe safe, effective medications to help you get the best results. Weight loss medications are meant to be used along with diet, exercise and behavior changes, not instead of them.

Let’s talk weight loss. You deserve to be the healthiest version of yourself. Weight loss has tremendous health benefits, improving both your physical and mental well-being. We offer individualized nutrition, exercise and pharmaceutical interventions to help you achieve your weight loss goal and simply be your best!

Now accepting patients! Free consultation! Schedule through website, link in bio

My name is Anna Zandan, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and I am the founder of Renewed Self Health and Wellness.

I have over 15 years of diverse health care experience, with a dietetics and nutritional science education foundation paired with a graduate nursing degree as a family nurse practitioner.

I am a marathoner, multi-triathlon competitor, and recent yoga enthusiast. I believe in the power of movement and exercise.

My previous work experience has highlighted the importance of preventative care and the failures of our current medical system to address healthy habits. Renewed Self grew from my desire to help others achieve a higher level of physical and mental health, gain confidence, and make life long changes.