What is a medical weight loss program?
A medical weight loss program involves medically supervised weight loss that is typically delivered by a team of healthcare professionals, such as doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and registered dietitians. It is typically recommended for patients whose weight is affecting their health or who have a significant amount of weight to lose and would benefit from close medical supervision. Medical weight loss programs often emphasize the four pillars of obesity care- nutrition, physical activity, behavior change, and (if appropriate) medications - to help individuals achieve their goals and maintain a healthy weight longterm. Medical weight loss programs have been shown to be particularly helpful for those who have not succeeded in the past with traditional weight loss methods or who need medical supervision throughout the process.