Do You Think I’m Fat, Doctor? Using Empathy to Help Patients Lose Weight

The CDC states that a person can safely and effectively lose about 1-2 pounds per week. Based on these figures, a person can safely lose 4-8 pounds in a month. However, these are only estimates.

Obesity is often caused by an energy imbalance. Here, energy intake from diet is higher than energy intake from physical activity.

But being overweight and obese is a complex problem affected by multiple differing factors, including:

– Genetics
– Cultural background
– Illness and disability
– Mental illness – this can affect appetite and motivation to shop, cook healthy food, or exercise
– Some medications – may increase appetite or slow metabolism
– Eating disorder
– Drugs, tobacco or alcohol
– Where people live, go to school and work
– Media
– Availability of ready meals
– Serving size
– Time pressure – this can make it difficult to prepare healthy meals and exercise
– Lifestyle
– Shift work – due to disturbances in sleeping and eating habits
– Lack of sleep – People who sleep less than 6 hours a night are more likely to gain weight.

Our doctors will do the following to help patients wanting to lose weight, with medical weight loss:

– Assess your general health
– Helps determine the cause of weight gain
– Exercising if you have a health problem that is causing you to gain weight
– Discuss a weight loss program that works for you

Assess your weight to determine if your current weight is healthy. This means measuring your weight and height to calculate your body mass index (BMI).

You can also measure your waist. Measuring your waist circumference is a good way to check that your belly isn’t carrying excess fat, which can increase your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.

You may be asked to keep a food diary for a week – a written record of everything you eat. Your physical activity can be measured with an activity diary.

Once your bariatric medicine specialist has a clearer picture of your diet and physical activity levels, they can help you identify simple lifestyle changes.

Together you will develop a game plan to lose weight healthily and sustainably. This will be a plan tailored to your lifestyle and preferences.

Obesity is a growing epidemic that affects millions of people worldwide. While many factors contribute to weight gain, medical professionals have a critical role to play in helping patients achieve their weight loss goals. Empathic medical care is an approach that recognizes the emotional and psychological factors that contribute to weight gain and provides patients with the support and motivation they need to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. In medical care, empathy involves understanding the emotions and experiences of patients and providing them with the support and care they need to overcome their health challenges. Empathic medical care is essential for weight loss because it recognizes that weight gain is not just a physical issue but also an emotional and psychological one. By providing patients with empathic care, medical professionals can help them address the underlying emotional factors that contribute to weight gain and provide them with the support they need to achieve their weight loss goals.

Empathic medical care is essential in weight loss programs because it allows medical professionals to build trust and rapport with patients. When patients feel understood and supported, they are more likely to trust their medical providers and follow their recommendations. Additionally, empathic medical care allows medical professionals to understand the emotional and psychological factors that contribute to weight gains, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. By addressing these underlying emotional factors, medical professionals can provide patients with the emotional support and motivation they need to sustain their weight loss efforts.

There are several strategies that medical professionals can use to incorporate empathic care into weight loss programs. First, active listening and effective communication skills are essential for building trust and rapport with patients. Medical professionals should take the time to listen to patients’ concerns, ask open-ended questions, and provide them with personalized feedback and support. Second, encouraging patients to share their weight loss journey can help them feel supported and motivated. Finally, providing personalized weight loss plans that address patients’ individual needs and preferences can help them achieve their weight loss goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

By recognizing the emotional and psychological factors that contribute to weight gain, medical professionals can provide patients with the support and motivation they need to achieve their weight loss goals. Incorporating empathic care into weight loss programs requires active listening, effective communication, and personalized care.

Doctors can reduce weight bias by realizing patients may have had negative experiences with health professionals and showing them empathy. This is why Catalyst Medical Group is one of the top weight loss clinics helping patients with encouragement during their weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Edinburg TX, McAllen TX, San Juan TX, Alamo TX, Pharr TX, Palmhurst TX, Mission TX, Alton TX and Palmview TX.