By Dr. Janey Hughes
Concerned about your health? Experts from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton are ready to answer readers’ questions. Send your questions to askthedoc@rwjuhh.edu.
Q. I want to improve my overall health this year. I’m overweight and not sure where to start. Can you offer some advice?
A. Improving your overall health is a great goal. Reducing your weight can be a perfect first step, especially since being overweight can increase your risk of diabetes and health problems such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
To get started, meet with your doctor to discuss your goals. He or she can evaluate your health risks, discuss your medical history and make recommendations. In addition, your doctor can determine your current health status by considering things such as your body mass index, a calculation to diagnose obesity, blood pressure, heart rate and waist circumference. As you modify your diet and increase physical activity, you should experience improvement in these numbers from your initial health assessment.
To prepare for your appointment with a doctor, make a list of questions, such as:
• What other health problems might I have?
• Should I see a dietician?
• What are the treatment options for obesity and other health problems?
• Am I a candidate for weight-loss surgery?
• Do I have any restrictions for physical activity?
In addition, be prepared to answer questions related to health and lifestyle, for example:
• During what periods in your life have you gained weight?
• What and how much do you eat in a typical day?
• How much activity do you get in a typical day?
• Do you have limitations because of your weight or health?
After discussing with your doctor, you may want to consider joining a medically-based fitness facility such as RWJ Hamilton Center for Health and Wellness, where membership includes monitoring with a registered nurse along your journey. Good luck!
Dr. Janey Hughes is with RWJ Family and Internal Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.
This content is intended to encourage a healthy lifestyle. For medical advice and treatment, see a physician.
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