Weight Management

Obesity is a known risk factor for the development and progression of vascular disease. In the United States, 36.5% of adults are obese. Another 32.5% percent of American adults are overweight. In all, more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese. That’s a lot of people with body weight high enough to seriously impact their vascular health!

Weight gain creeps up on most of us – particularly as we hit middle age. Changing hormones, metabolism, and decreased activity levels all play a role in the all-too-common slow, steady increase in body fat. From a clinical point of view, we often see patients gain a pound or two – or more! – every visit. Gaining a pound or two doesn’t seem like a lot but as this continues for several years, you seem to have suddenly gained 20, 30, or even 50 pounds without even realizing it!

It’s understandable that people get frustrated when they hear from a doctor that they need to lose weight – most people KNOW they need to lose weight – they just don’t seem to be able to figure out how to do it. They’ve tried dieting and maybe it worked for a while but then the weight came back on – and more than before the weight loss!

It will come as no surprise that obesity effects our health. Obesity was found to be a major risk factor for the development of type-2 diabetes, asthma, hypertension, stroke, coronary artery disease, cancer and cancer-related mortality, liver and gallbladder diseases, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and gynecological complications. Cardiovascular disease has been shown to be elevated in individuals who are overweight, particularly with central deposition of belly fat also called adipose tissues (see article below). Obesity may be associated with hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, or insulin resistance, and elevated levels of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein, all of which increase the risk of CVD events.

Obesity is a particular risk factor for developing Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Excess body weight can affect how easily your blood coagulates – or clots. These alterations in coagulation are thought to be relevant not only for arterial but also for venous thrombosis.

Abdominal fat – also called adipose tissue – is thought to be associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure, with pressure transmission to the ileofemoral veins. This pressure on the abdominal veins leads to venous stasis and dilation of the veins in the legs, which can cause venous valve dysfunction and thrombosis.

Dr. Tahara recommends keeping a detailed food journal (including measured amounts) for x amount of time – if you can do this prior to your first visit then you will be that much further ahead! Dr. Tahara generally recommends a lower carbohydrate diet, rich in meats and vegetables. Special consideration may have to be given for certain medical conditions – as always you should consult with your doctor prior to adopting a new diet. Many patients find that going to a certified nutritionist is helpful and in fact, we encourage it!

“An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.”

– Henry David Thoreau

Unless you are non-ambulatory, walking is an excellent and easy way to increase activity levels. It doesn’t require expensive equipment – just a good pair of walking shoes! Snow and ice during the Winter months can be a challenge in our area – many patients like walking in large department stores or join fitness centers during the winter but current times are calling for different solutions. Consider investing in a home treadmill or even a stationary bike. As always, consult with your physician first prior to beginning a new exercise program. Here is the link to our exercise page.