Obesity & Weight Management

Obesity is very common. About 4 in 10 adults in the United States have obesity, and the number has grown over the past few decades.

• Class 1 obesity: BMI 30 to 34.9.
• Class 2 obesity: BMI 35 to 39.9.
• Class 3 (severe) obesity: BMI 40 or higher.
• Central (belly) obesity: extra fat around the waist, linked to higher risk of diabetes and heart disease.
• Obesity linked to other causes, such as certain medicines, hormone problems or genetic conditions.

Weight is shaped by many things, many of which are not fully in your control:

• Genes and family history
• Eating patterns, large portions, and foods high in sugar, fat and calories
• Not much physical activity, or a lot of sitting
• Poor or short sleep, and stress
• Some medicines, such as steroids, some antidepressants, diabetes and seizure medicines
• Hormone conditions such as low thyroid, Cushing's syndrome or PCOS
• Quitting smoking, pregnancy, menopause and getting older
• Where you live and work, and access to healthy food and safe places to be active

Obesity itself may not cause symptoms, but you may notice:

• Getting out of breath easily
• Joint pain in the knees, hips or back
• Snoring or feeling tired during the day
• Heartburn
• Skin changes such as dark, velvety patches in body folds or skin tags
• At your visit, your provider measures your height, weight, BMI, waist size and blood pressure, and looks for signs of related conditions, such as skin changes, joint problems, swelling in the legs and signs of thyroid or other hormone problems.

Obesity is diagnosed from BMI and waist size along with your overall health.

Lab tests your provider may order include: A1C or fasting glucose, a lipid panel, a comprehensive metabolic panel (kidney and liver function), thyroid tests (TSH), and sometimes other hormone tests if a medical cause is suspected.

Your provider may also screen for sleep apnea, fatty liver, high blood pressure and depression. If you need imaging or a sleep study, we refer you out and review the results with you.

There's no single right plan. Your care team will help you choose steps that fit your life:

• Eating: focus on vegetables, fruits, lean protein, beans and whole grains; cut back on sugary drinks, sweets and highly processed foods; watch portion sizes. Working with a dietitian can help.
• Activity: build up toward about 150 minutes a week of moderate activity, plus muscle-strengthening, as your provider says is safe.
• Sleep and stress: aim for 7 or more hours of sleep, and find ways to manage stress.
• Medicines: some people qualify for prescription weight-loss medicines, such as weekly injections like Wegovy (semaglutide) or Zepbound (tirzepatide). Related versions, Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), are approved for type 2 diabetes. They work best with healthy habits and need regular follow-up.
• Reviewing your current medicines for any that may cause weight gain.
• Losing even 5 to 10 percent of your weight can improve blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Obesity is a long-term condition, and weight can come back over time. That's common and not a failure; it's a reason to keep working with your care team.

Many people improve their health with steady changes, even before reaching a goal weight. Results vary, and no plan can promise a specific amount of weight loss.

Your primary care team at Moaddel Medical works with you without judgment to set realistic goals, order the right tests and treat related conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.

We offer a structured weight-management program, can discuss weight-loss medicines, and connect you with Moaddel Integrated Health for physician-guided wellness care. Peptide therapy is also available on site; ask if it's right for you. Results vary from person to person.

We're at 7230 Medical Center Dr, Suite 100, West Hills, CA 91307.