Most Americans need to lose weight—sooner rather than later. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that a staggering 66 percent of us are either overweight or obese. Studies also show that anyone in this group faces increased risks for health problems, including strokes, cancers, arthritis, and diseases of the heart, liver, and lungs.

The situation is serious but not hopeless. Doctors now can tailor exercise and diet plans to each patient’s unique needs. Surgeons can perform remarkable weight loss operations.

Given the scope of the nation’s problem, it’s logical to ask: How did we get this way? Experts offer many reasons. Chief among them is the availability of tasty, cheap, yet not particularly nutritious food in huge portions. Another factor is the lack of exercise in our sedentary  lives. Too much high-calorie food and too little exertion lead to unwanted pounds.

To decide if you should lose weight, calculate your “body mass index.” For most people, BMI indicates the body’s amount of fat. Overweight scores range from 25.0 to 29.9. Obese ones are 30.0 and above. This measurement is based on your height and weight. Those two facts are all you need to compute your BMI, using the calculator at the CDC Internet site: www.cdc.gov.

Besides registering high BMIs, a patient may need professional help if he or she has a family history of being overweight and suffering from related health problems; has health problems, like high blood pressure and joint problems, linked to being overweight; cannot exercise; and/or loses weight quickly and regains it quickly.

For overweight individuals, professional help can make a big difference in how they get slim and how quickly they do it. Doctors, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals can develop a program tailored to anyone’s needs, goals, and lifestyle. They also can offer support and ensure a patient’s safety. Obviously, diet and exercise play a big role in any plan. While every program is different, common advice includes:

• Reduce fat and sugar intake.

• Add fiber.

• Eat three healthy meals. This provides energy through the day and prevents overeating at supper.

• Eat at home. Restaurants add salt and fat in the forms of butter and cheese to enhance taste. If you do go out, avoid buffets. They’re an invitation to overeat.

• Add exercise to daily routines by walking instead of riding whenever possible.

• Go to the gym and exercise, combining cardiovascular activities with weight lifting.

• Learn all you can about healthy eating and the benefits of exercise.

• Join a weight loss group that checks your progress and offers encouragement. For example, Bon Secours Hampton Roads has the Bon Secours Weight Loss Institute, which provides medically supervised weight loss, and In Motion, which helps people needing to lose 1- 30 pounds.

If your BMI is close to 35 or higher, you may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery. Surgery has been a weight reduction tool for decades.

Generally, weight loss surgery either restricts food intake or limits food digestion. Surgeons often perform these operations using tiny incisions, small instruments, and micro-cameras. This minimally invasive approach results in quicker recovery times, less scarring, and reduced opportunity for infections. Like any surgical procedure, complications can occur and surgery is not always the most appropriate approach for all individuals.

Today, there are multiple surgical approaches. The three most common weight loss surgeries are:

• Roux en Y gastric bypass. This procedure makes a smaller stomach and bypasses a portion of the small bowel, which limits digestion. The gastric bypass reduces the amount you eat and makes you feel satisfied with smaller portions.

• Sleeve gastrectomy. In this operation, part of your stomach is removed. This limits food intake and makes you feel full with small amounts of food.

• Laparoscopic gastric banding. This involves placing a band around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch to hold food. This limits food intake and creates a feeling of being full with little food. After surgery, the band is adjusted to speed or slow the passage of food through the digestive system.

These procedures can cause a rapid weight loss. However, it’s important to remember that they do not solve weight problems forever. Patients must use these surgical approaches as powerful tools to ensure long-term weight loss but must continue to diet and exercise to maintain the weight loss.

In summary, while weight problems are widespread, you can get help that can lead to excellent results. Maintaining a healthy weight can make you feel better, look better, and enjoy an active and engaged life, free of the difficulties linked to being overweight or obese. 

Dr. Elizabeth Salzberg is a bariatric surgeon practicing with Tidewater Surgical Specialists at Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center. Dr. Phillip Snider is medical director of Bon Secours Weight Loss Institute located in Norfolk.