Obesity and Weight Loss
Healthy eating involves variety in the diet, limiting fat and salt, as well as processed foods. The American Dietetics Association has developed the Food Guide Pyramid to depict what we need on a daily basis to maintain our health. The Pyramid emphasizes the intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables as well as low fat dairy products and lean meats as the staples of a healthy diet and limiting saturated fats, sodium and simple sugars. For more information on the Food Pyramid the following link at www.mypyramid.gov/ is a great tool to assist with food choices. Along with the Pyramid, Nutrition Facts Labels on items can provide valuable information on the calories and fat, as well as the overall nutritional value of foods. It is not only the food choice, but the quantity or portion size that is important to keep in mind. Please refer to www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/foodlab.html for additional information on how to use this valuable tool for better food choices.Along with healthy food choices, it is important to focus on maintaining an appropriate weight. A calculation called the BMI or Body Mass Index is a good reference tool to see where you are and where you need to go. To determine BMI please go to the following link at www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/index.html for the calculation. This site will also provide helpful tools for losing weight safely. There are also some well regarded weight loss programs, such as Weight Watchers, that utilize portion control, nutrition education and a support system, many people have found beneficial. Likewise, most community hospitals offer nutrition counseling or group programs from a Registered Dietitian that may be covered under insurance with a physician’s order. In surgery, elevated BMI or obesity is a concern due to the strong link to the development of surgical complications.
Along with BMI, it is important to have an understanding of the balance between intake of calories and output. Please refer to www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/calories/index.html. This website is an excellent tool to calculate calorie needs. A food diary, a form available on the above site, is a tool used to log exactly what is being eaten everyday. This is a great way for a patient to determine how many calories are being consumed and where changes can be made for more nutritious food choices.
Besides diet, exercise remains a key component of weight loss and an overall healthy lifestyle. Likewise, keeping muscles strong is an excellent way to prevent injury and protect your joints. It is always important to obtain a physician’s OK prior to any new fitness regime. Besides just hitting the gym or the road, utilizing a personal trainer or physical therapist is an excellent way to help start an exercise routine. These trained professionals ensure exercises are performed appropriately to obtain the most benefit and prevent injury. For further details regarding physical activity and fitness please click on the following link at www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html
Good nutrition and maintenance of a healthy weight provide many benefits. Not only can it reduce the risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease and improve cholesterol and blood pressure, but weight loss can take the stress off joints, stimulate natural endorphins, plus make you look and feel better too. Individuals who are obese or with a BMI greater than 35 are at increased risk of a major complications with spinal surgery. As well malnutrition, which can occur in obese patients, is also a negative prognostic indicator for outcome with surgery. If you are malnourished, which can be determined by certain laboratory studies such as the prealbumin, you are at increased risk of wound healing problems and infection. For this reason, we may ask that you have nutritional supplementation with Boost or Ensure after surgery. This will be your responsibility to purchase these nutritional supplements and we will follow your laboratory studies to determine if you have been compliant with a nutritious diet to maintain a satisfactory prealbumin during your surgical rehabilitative state.
For the patient who is a candidate for surgery, it is important to emphasize that the healthier the patient, the better the outcome.
The material of this Web Site is for general education only and is not meant to replace an evaluation by a healthcare provider. This site is not meant as a method to practice medicine, provide medical services or advice. You should always talk to your health care professional.
The material of this Web Site is for general education only and is not meant to replace an evaluation by a healthcare provider. This site is not meant as a method to practice medicine, provide medical services or advice. You should always talk to your health care professional.