by Tim Gieseke MD

While preparing for presenting on this subject at our recent annual meeting, I was impressed by the overwhelming evidence of the accelerating adverse consequences of being overweight, but also at how rapidly this epidemic has evolved despite the efforts to counter it by providers, the government, weight loss programs, and the payers.

We know that the health risks accelerate with increasing BMI.  These risks are further worsened if there are accompanying abnormalities of metabolism (Metabolic Syndrome) best reflected at the bedside by increasing abdominal girth.  The 2 other major contributing harmful factors are physical inactivity and a diet rich in dairy products and red meats.  Thrown into this mix is evidence that certain ethnic groups like Asians are more susceptible to the adverse effects of being overweight such that the criteria for safe abdominal girth are lower, and the greater risk may be present even at normal weight.

We now have good evidence that a focus on wellness and a healthy lifestyle works.  At our annual meeting, one of the performance improvement projects was a healthy diet for all (see future WAVE article).  This diet was well received and achieved healthy weights and other metrics of good health.  Diets such as the Mediterranean and DASH diets also have good evidence for improving weight and health metrics.  To lose weight, we have to consistently choose smaller portions and to snack on lower calorie foods such as fruit, vegetables, and nuts.  Having some fat in the diet (peanut butter – my choice) helps curb appetite.  Foods and beverages with added simple sugars generally are calorie rich and tend to stimulate appetite.  Counties which have taken sodas and sweetened drinks out of their schools are now seeing less diabetes in their children.

Armed with this information, I reflected on the weight I had progressively gained over 44 years of marriage and wondered if I could choose and sustain a healthier diet.  I was curious about the potential QOL value of weighing less and desired to reduce my risk for the adverse effects of being too heavy.

Within the first 2 months, I lost about 7% of my weight and was sleeping better and no longer snoring (wife sleeping better too).  I’m now at my target weight 15% lighter and feel about 15 years younger.

I’m committed to living a healthier lifestyle and to encouraging my patients, friends, and facilities to “take the Lifestyle” challenge test.  I believe the key element in making this change is to focus not so much on preventing “bad events”, but rather on recovering a better quality of life.

I’ve attached a pdf of the presentation I delivered at our annual meeting.  Besides a healthy lifestyle, some of our patients may require more intensive assistance (intensive medical therapy), medications, or even surgery.  This shouldn’t be a surprise to us since this is exactly what we have discovered with managing multiple other chronic illnesses like diabetes and HBP.

I was on the sidelines as an observer for years.  What actions are you going to take?    

Click here for Dr. Gieseke's 2017 Annual Meeting Presentation