Integrative medicine experts to discuss healthy weight loss March 26

Shore View Medical integrative medicine physician Uday Jani, MD, and and family nurse practitioner Sumer Walker will present “The Many Roads to Weight Loss,” part one, from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church parish hall, 211 Mulberry St., Lewes.

Anyone looking for a fresh start on the journey to a healthy weight can explore their options with this two-part series. Part two is set for 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 23.

For many, the yo-yo cycle of dieting, weight loss and weight gain is all too familiar and ineffective, and the soaring rate of obesity in America is the unfortunate result. However, a new and much more promising era has begun, said Jani.

Jani and Walker will discuss a new definition of obesity and why it matters. Long measured in terms of body mass index, or weight relative to height, obesity is now being identified in other, more precise ways.

“Years of research and observation have shown that relying on BMI alone to determine obesity can be inaccurate,” said Walker, “For example, people with a higher lean muscle mass, such as athletes, often have a high BMI but not a greater risk of disease.”

Also, knowing where the fat is distributed is essential in determining disease risk. A waist circumference of more than 40 inches for men or more than 35 inches for women can indicate visceral fat in the abdomen and a higher risk of cardio-metabolic disease; other measures include waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios.

“More meaningful than BMI alone, we have a variety of screening tools available to diagnose obesity, including the DEXA scan (an in-depth analysis of fat tissue, lean mass and bone density), waist circumference, blood tests, physical assessment, health history and family history,” said Walker. “This allows us to personalize our care and focus on preventing disease in those with preclinical obesity, and reducing or reversing organ dysfunction in the clinically obese.”

The explosion of weight-loss pharmaceuticals like Wegovy (GLP-1 drug) and Zepbound (double agonist drug), how they work, and the even more powerful triple agonist drugs in the pipeline will also be addressed.

“Beyond weight control, the potential benefits of these drugs in preventing disease are significant, and research continues to reveal new uses,” said Jani. “However, a frequently expressed concern is what happens when you stop taking them. Unsurprisingly, we are seeing that people who have adopted healthy lifestyle changes, such as balanced nutrition, regular movement and strength training, are much more likely to sustain their weight loss.”

Jani will provide in-depth guidance on the most effective, non-pharmaceutical strategies for healthy weight loss that he emphasizes, including: mindful eating, plant-forward nutrition, intermittent fasting, exercise with an assist from AI-powered and smart fitness tools, and stress management techniques.

Learn more at udayjanimd.com.