Treatments for Obesity

Obesity is a leading cause of death, disability and healthcare costs in the United States, and more than 70% of Americans are overweight or have obesity. It is a chronic, relapsing, hormonally-driven metabolic disease that affects virtually every system in the human body. Yet is often stigmatized and under-treated.

At The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, our interdisciplinary team has expertise in the evaluation and treatment of patients with obesity. It consists of physicians and surgeons who specialize in obesity medicine, registered dieticians, psychologists and nationally recognized obesity and weight management research specialists. We collaborate closely with specialists throughout The University of Kansas Health System to help patients manage obesity. In our patient-centered practice, free of weight bias, we partner closely with you to develop a tailored approach that meets your needs, lifestyle challenges, and health and wellness goals.

Although many adults may benefit from weight loss, those with a BMI of 30 or greater are candidates for obesity treatment. Your primary care provider or a specialist may refer you for weight management since treating obesity not only benefits your overall health but can help to treat conditions with weight-related symptoms. Common referrals include:

• Cardiology – to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease
• Endocrinology – to treat diabetes
• OB-GYN – to treat infertility, menopause and other gynecologic conditions
• Orthopedics – to reduce joint pain and inflammation, to improve outcomes following joint replacement surgery
• Primary care – to improve cholesterol, blood pressure and some mental health conditions
• Sleep medicine specialists – to improve obstructive sleep apnea
• Urology – to improve testosterone deficiency and reduce the risk of kidney stones
• Oncology – to reduce the risk of some types of cancer or cancer recurrence, to improve treatment outcomes

If you are looking for treatment for pediatric obesity, learn more about our Healthy Hawks program.

Obesity is a complex disease with roots in genetics, pharmacotherapy, stress and sleep patterns, related health conditions, environment, activity level and ability, nutrition availability and nutrition control. It is a chronic disease with no cure currently. However, there are effective treatments that may help you achieve and sustain a healthy weight while improving or preventing weight-related conditions and enhancing your overall health and well-being.

To help manage your unique disease, we start with a physician visit to determine the most likely contributors to the development of obesity as well as what areas may offer the best opportunities for treatment.

The recommendations that may come out of this visit are vast but may include:

After weight loss has been achieved, we also have a weight maintenance program that can provide ongoing services, like eating guidelines, personalized nutrition plans and exercise education.

More than 100 medical and psychological obesity-related complications can improve with weight loss. Recognizing and treating obesity can help prevent the development or progression of many of these conditions. These conditions include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular disease, at least 13 different types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, connective tissue disease, asthma, infertility, depression and disordered eating. In addition, weight loss lowers surgical complications and prolonged hospitalizations.

Although there are also risks associated with obesity treatments, they are generally considered lower than the risks of continuing to live with obesity. However, it is always important to consider the specific risks associated with each weight-loss activity. Some examples:

• Increased costs: medications, supplements, surgery, gym memberships and food may all increase your spending
• Mental health: changing your eating and exercise behaviors could lead to disordered eating for some
• Physical injuries: increasing your activity level can also increase your risk of injuries like sprains and strains

Talk to your doctor about any potential risks before starting weight-loss activities.

Obesity is a chronic disease with many contributors that requires intensive, interdisciplinary treatment for improved outcomes. Our robust team covers all the areas you will need to be successful in your weight-loss journey. Our physicians are board-certified in both internal medicine and obesity medicine. We have a dedicated staff of registered dietitians and behavioral specialists who focus all of their effort toward supporting weight-loss journeys.

As part of the health system, we collaborate with other specialists to provide comprehensive care for our patients. That includes working closely with bariatric surgery specialists, which allows for seamless coordination of care for those who may benefit from surgical weight management tools.

We also partner with our research team, offering participation in clinical trials when appropriate. About 30% of our patients participate in research studies through the University of Kansas Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management. We collaborate closely with that research group, but their activities take place in different locations than clinical visits.

Importantly, our staff is trained to recognize and avoid weight bias, thereby creating a safe environment for patients to receive the care they need without feeling stigmatized or shamed.

The health system weight management team sees patients at Weight Management: Kirmayer Fitness Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

Call 913-945-8184 to schedule a program orientation. You may also email us at WeightLoss@KUMC.edu. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter @KUWeightloss.