Everything You Need to Know About the O-Shot and M-Shot
By: The Hidden Epidemic of Sexual Health and What We Can Do
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Tempe 480.968.5673
Glendale 602.374.3374
Phoenix 602.441.3305
Chandler480.447.1165
By: If you’ve been told you’re obese, you’re not alone, and you’re not defined by a number. More than 42% of American adults live with obesity, according to the CDC. But despite how common it is, obesity remains one of the most misunderstood health conditions. It’s not about willpower. It’s
If you’ve been told you’re obese, you’re not alone, and you’re not defined by a number.
More than 42% of American adults live with obesity, according to the CDC. But despite how common it is, obesity remains one of the most misunderstood health conditions.
It’s not about willpower. It’s not about laziness. And it’s not a moral failing.
Obesity is a complex medical condition influenced by genetics, hormones, environment, and metabolism. Understanding what obesity really is and what it isn’t is the first step toward taking control of your health.
Here’s everything you need to know about obesity, how it’s diagnosed, what causes it, and most importantly: how to reverse it.
Obesity is a medical condition characterized by excess body fat that increases the risk of health complications.
It’s not just about how you look. Obesity is diagnosed based on body mass index (BMI), a calculation that uses your height and weight to estimate body fat.
Important: BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool. It doesn’t account for muscle mass, bone density, or body composition. A bodybuilder with high muscle mass might have a BMI in the “obese” range, even though they’re healthy.
That’s why a proper obesity diagnosis requires a medical evaluation that considers:
If your BMI is 30 or higher, or if you have a BMI of 27+ with weight-related health conditions (like diabetes or high blood pressure), you may benefit from medical weight loss treatment.
Subscribe for expert insights on building confidence, overcoming mental barriers, and achieving lasting weight loss success. Join patients who are transforming both body and mind.Join our newsletter for expert insights on treating melasma, hyperpigmentation, and other skin concerns. Our medical aesthetic team shares practical advice to help you achieve clear, radiant skin.
Obesity isn’t caused by one thing. It’s the result of multiple factors working together, many of which are outside your control.
Your genes play a significant role in how your body stores fat, regulates hunger, and burns calories.
Studies show that 40–70% of obesity risk is inherited. If one or both of your parents have obesity, you’re more likely to develop it.
Certain genetic conditions, like Prader-Willi syndrome or hypothalamic obesity, directly cause weight gain.
Hormones regulate appetite, metabolism, and fat storage. When hormones are out of balance, weight gain becomes nearly inevitable.
Key hormones involved in obesity:
Conditions like hypothyroidism, PCOS, and Cushing’s syndrome can cause weight gain that’s difficult to reverse without medical treatment.
Your metabolism determines how many calories you burn at rest. Some people naturally burn more calories than others even when doing nothing.
Factors that slow metabolism:
Your surroundings have a powerful impact on your weight.
Environmental factors:
Certain medications cause weight gain as a side effect, including:
If you’ve gained weight after starting a new medication, talk to your doctor about alternatives.
Emotional eating, binge eating disorder, and depression are strongly linked to obesity.
Food becomes a coping mechanism for stress, sadness, boredom, or trauma. Over time, this pattern leads to weight gain and feelings of shame, which perpetuates the cycle.
Bottom line: Obesity is not a character flaw. It’s a medical condition with biological, environmental, and psychological roots.
Obesity isn’t just about weight. It increases the risk of serious, life-threatening health conditions.
Even before chronic diseases develop, obesity affects your daily life:
When left untreated, obesity significantly increases the risk of:
Cardiovascular disease:
Metabolic disorders:
Cancer:
Obesity increases the risk of 13 types of cancer, including:
Other conditions:
The good news: Losing just 5–10% of your body weight can significantly reduce these risks and improve your health.
Let’s clear up some common misconceptions.
Truth: Obesity is a complex medical condition influenced by genetics, hormones, and environment, not willpower.
Truth: For many people, diet and exercise alone aren’t enough. Hormonal imbalances, slow metabolism, and genetic factors require medical intervention.
Truth: BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Body composition, waist circumference, and metabolic health matter more.
Truth: Obesity is treatable and reversible with the right medical support, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication.
Truth: Weight loss is not a straight line. Plateaus, fluctuations, and setbacks are normal and don’t mean you’re failing.
Obesity is both preventable and treatable. With the right approach, you can lose weight, improve your health, and reduce your risk of chronic disease.
Physician-supervised weight loss programs provide:
At Valley Medical Weight Loss, we’ve helped over 80,000 patients lose weight and keep it off.
Focus on:
You don’t need to run marathons. Start with:
For some patients, medication or surgery may be necessary:
Losing weight on your own is hard. Medical weight loss programs increase your chances of success by:
At Valley Medical Weight Loss, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all diets. We create personalized plans based on your unique metabolism, health history, and goals.
If you’re living with obesity, you don’t have to do this alone.
At Valley Medical Weight Loss, we’ve helped over 80,000 patients lose weight and reclaim their health. We offer:
Visit any of our four convenient locations or call today:
Walk-In Hours: Mon–Fri: New patients until 4:30 PM, existing patients until 5:30 PM; Sat: until 2:30 PM; Sun: Closed.
For over 15 years, Valley Medical Weight Loss has provided personalized, physician-supervised weight loss and wellness programs. We offer transparent pricing, no-contract plans, and walk-in convenience at four Phoenix-area locations.
Weight Loss Programs:
Medications & Treatments:
Resources:
General Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new weight loss program or medication. Results vary based on individual circumstances.
By Dr. Samuel Zuniga, ND
Valley Medical Weight Loss | Chandler, Arizona
If you’ve been told you’re obese, you’re not alone, and you’re not defined by a number.
More than 42% of American adults live with obesity, according to the CDC. But despite how common it is, obesity remains one of the most misunderstood health conditions.
It’s not about willpower. It’s not about laziness. And it’s not a moral failing.
Obesity is a complex medical condition influenced by genetics, hormones, environment, and metabolism. Understanding what obesity really is and what it isn’t is the first step toward taking control of your health.
Here’s everything you need to know about obesity, how it’s diagnosed, what causes it, and most importantly: how to reverse it.
Obesity is a medical condition characterized by excess body fat that increases the risk of health complications.
It’s not just about how you look. Obesity is diagnosed based on body mass index (BMI), a calculation that uses your height and weight to estimate body fat.
Important: BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool. It doesn’t account for muscle mass, bone density, or body composition. A bodybuilder with high muscle mass might have a BMI in the “obese” range, even though they’re healthy.
That’s why a proper obesity diagnosis requires a medical evaluation that considers:
If your BMI is 30 or higher, or if you have a BMI of 27+ with weight-related health conditions (like diabetes or high blood pressure), you may benefit from medical weight loss treatment.
Subscribe for expert insights on building confidence, overcoming mental barriers, and achieving lasting weight loss success. Join patients who are transforming both body and mind.Join our newsletter for expert insights on treating melasma, hyperpigmentation, and other skin concerns. Our medical aesthetic team shares practical advice to help you achieve clear, radiant skin.
Obesity isn’t caused by one thing. It’s the result of multiple factors working together, many of which are outside your control.
Your genes play a significant role in how your body stores fat, regulates hunger, and burns calories.
Studies show that 40–70% of obesity risk is inherited. If one or both of your parents have obesity, you’re more likely to develop it.
Certain genetic conditions, like Prader-Willi syndrome or hypothalamic obesity, directly cause weight gain.
Hormones regulate appetite, metabolism, and fat storage. When hormones are out of balance, weight gain becomes nearly inevitable.
Key hormones involved in obesity:
Conditions like hypothyroidism, PCOS, and Cushing’s syndrome can cause weight gain that’s difficult to reverse without medical treatment.
Your metabolism determines how many calories you burn at rest. Some people naturally burn more calories than others even when doing nothing.
Factors that slow metabolism:
Your surroundings have a powerful impact on your weight.
Environmental factors:
Certain medications cause weight gain as a side effect, including:
If you’ve gained weight after starting a new medication, talk to your doctor about alternatives.
Emotional eating, binge eating disorder, and depression are strongly linked to obesity.
Food becomes a coping mechanism for stress, sadness, boredom, or trauma. Over time, this pattern leads to weight gain and feelings of shame, which perpetuates the cycle.
Bottom line: Obesity is not a character flaw. It’s a medical condition with biological, environmental, and psychological roots.
Obesity isn’t just about weight. It increases the risk of serious, life-threatening health conditions.
Even before chronic diseases develop, obesity affects your daily life:
When left untreated, obesity significantly increases the risk of:
Cardiovascular disease:
Metabolic disorders:
Cancer:
Obesity increases the risk of 13 types of cancer, including:
Other conditions:
The good news: Losing just 5–10% of your body weight can significantly reduce these risks and improve your health.
Let’s clear up some common misconceptions.
Truth: Obesity is a complex medical condition influenced by genetics, hormones, and environment, not willpower.
Truth: For many people, diet and exercise alone aren’t enough. Hormonal imbalances, slow metabolism, and genetic factors require medical intervention.
Truth: BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Body composition, waist circumference, and metabolic health matter more.
Truth: Obesity is treatable and reversible with the right medical support, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication.
Truth: Weight loss is not a straight line. Plateaus, fluctuations, and setbacks are normal and don’t mean you’re failing.
Obesity is both preventable and treatable. With the right approach, you can lose weight, improve your health, and reduce your risk of chronic disease.
Physician-supervised weight loss programs provide:
At Valley Medical Weight Loss, we’ve helped over 80,000 patients lose weight and keep it off.
Focus on:
You don’t need to run marathons. Start with:
For some patients, medication or surgery may be necessary:
Losing weight on your own is hard. Medical weight loss programs increase your chances of success by:
At Valley Medical Weight Loss, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all diets. We create personalized plans based on your unique metabolism, health history, and goals.
If you’re living with obesity, you don’t have to do this alone.
At Valley Medical Weight Loss, we’ve helped over 80,000 patients lose weight and reclaim their health. We offer:
Visit any of our four convenient locations or call today:
Walk-In Hours: Mon–Fri: New patients until 4:30 PM, existing patients until 5:30 PM; Sat: until 2:30 PM; Sun: Closed.
For over 15 years, Valley Medical Weight Loss has provided personalized, physician-supervised weight loss and wellness programs. We offer transparent pricing, no-contract plans, and walk-in convenience at four Phoenix-area locations.
Weight Loss Programs:
Medications & Treatments:
Resources:
General Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new weight loss program or medication. Results vary based on individual circumstances.
By: The Hidden Epidemic of Sexual Health and What We Can Do
By: Health and wellness technology has exploded in recent years. From smartwatches
How to Stay Motivated with Slow Weight Loss By: You’re doing everything
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Sat: 8am-1:30pm
Wed, Sun: Closed