Blood sugar & heart health
Prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke risk may be part of the discussion.
THE ADULT WEIGHT-CARE GUIDE
Understand obesity.
Explore treatment options.
Understand obesity, compare treatment options, and prepare for a conversation that centers on your health.
01 / Understanding obesity
Your health is more than a number.
Obesity is a complex, long-term health condition influenced by biology, environment, sleep, medicines, and lived experience. Treatment aims to improve health and daily life. You deserve support without blame.
02 / Adult classification
What do the BMI ranges mean?
These standard screening ranges apply to adults age 20 and older. BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.
| Adult BMI category | BMI (kg/m²) |
|---|---|
| Underweight | Below 18.5 |
| Healthy weight range | 18.5 to below 25 |
| Overweight | 25 to below 30 |
| Class 1 obesity | 30 to below 35 |
| Class 2 obesity | 35 to below 40 |
| Class 3 obesity | 40 or above |
BMI does not directly measure body fat, muscle, or fat distribution. Risk may differ at the same BMI. A clinician considers your health history, examination, and tests alongside this screening result.
Use the adult BMI calculator ↗Explore the evidenceCDC · Adult BMI ↗
03 / Related conditions
Look beyond weight. Protect your health.
Obesity can increase the likelihood of these conditions, but having obesity does not mean you have all—or any—of them. Screening depends on your symptoms and medical history.
Sleep & breathing
Loud snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, and daytime sleepiness may suggest obstructive sleep apnea. Ask whether a sleep assessment is appropriate.
Liver, joints & kidneys
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (fatty liver), osteoarthritis, and kidney disease can affect care decisions.
Whole-person wellbeing
Fertility or pregnancy concerns, mental health, and some cancer risks also matter. Discuss symptoms and age-appropriate preventive care.
Explore the evidenceNIH/NIDDK · Weight-related health risks ↗
04 / Compare your options
Several paths. One individualized plan.
| Option | What it involves | What to discuss |
|---|---|---|
| Lifestyle & behavioral care | Nutrition, enjoyable movement, sleep routines, problem-solving, and ongoing support. | Your schedule, budget, preferences, ability, and maintenance plan. |
| Prescription medication | A medicine that may support weight management alongside lifestyle care. | Eligibility, expected benefit, side effects, coverage, and long-term follow-up. |
| Metabolic & bariatric surgery | Operations that change the stomach and sometimes the intestine. | Specialist evaluation, surgical risk, nutrition monitoring, and lifelong follow-up. |
| Endoscopic procedures & devices | Selected procedures or devices placed through the mouth or into the digestive system. | Device-specific criteria, durability, costs, and potential serious complications. |
05 / Medication literacy
Understand the choices before choosing.
Many adult weight-management medicines are considered at BMI 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition. Exact indications vary. Medication is paired with lifestyle care and regular review; suitability is never determined by BMI alone.
| Medicine / group | Basic role | Conversation starter |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide (Wegovy) & liraglutide (Saxenda) | GLP-1 medicines help regulate appetite. | How will tolerability, formulation, and follow-up be managed? |
| Tirzepatide (Zepbound) | Acts on GIP and GLP-1 pathways involved in appetite. | Does my history make this appropriate? What is the ongoing cost? |
| Phentermine/topiramate ER (Qsymia) | Combines medicines that reduce appetite. | Pregnancy prevention/testing is essential; discuss eye, mood, and cognitive risks. |
| Naltrexone/bupropion ER (Contrave) | Acts on appetite-related brain pathways. | Not appropriate with chronic opioid use, uncontrolled hypertension, or seizure disorders. |
| Orlistat (Xenical; lower-dose Alli) | Reduces absorption of some dietary fat. | Ask about bowel effects, medicine interactions, and vitamin needs. |
| Other specialist options | Short-term appetite medicines and targeted treatment for certain rare genetic forms of obesity have specific roles. | Ask why a particular medicine is being considered and whether specialist assessment is needed. |
Weight-management medicines are not used for weight loss during pregnancy. Discuss pregnancy plans, breastfeeding, all prescriptions, supplements, and your complete medical history before treatment.
Ask what improvement would justify continuing, when treatment will be reassessed, and what the maintenance plan is. Weight regain can occur after treatment stops. Never combine weight-loss products or change doses on your own.
06 / Specialist care
Surgery and procedures, clearly explained.
Sleeve gastrectomy
Removes much of the stomach, leaving a smaller sleeve. It is not reversible. Reflux and vitamin or mineral deficiencies are among the considerations.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
Creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes part of the intestine. It affects food intake and absorption and requires long-term nutritional monitoring.
Other operations
Duodenal switch procedures alter the stomach and intestine and have substantial nutritional follow-up needs. Adjustable bands are less commonly used and may need removal.
Endoscopic options
A temporary gastric balloon occupies stomach space. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty uses internal sutures to reduce stomach size. Both require specialist assessment and ongoing lifestyle support.
ASMBS/IFSO guidance recommends surgery at BMI ≥35, and for type 2 diabetes with BMI ≥30; it also supports consideration at BMI 30–34.9 when nonsurgical treatment has not produced durable improvement. Individual assessment, population-specific considerations, local programs, and insurance criteria may differ.
07 / Make an informed start
What is meaningful progress?
For many adults, an initial 5%–10% weight reduction over about six months is a useful discussion point, not a promise or a deadline. Better stamina, improved health markers, sleep, strength, and daily function matter too.
A strong plan includes realistic goals, ongoing feedback, practical nutrition and activity support, and a strategy for maintenance. Be cautious of guaranteed results, rapid-loss promises, or required purchases of miracle supplements.
Explore the evidenceNIH/NIDDK · Choosing a weight-loss program ↗
A next step that fits you
Bring your questions.
We’ll start there.
Ask the practice about eligibility, available services, costs, and whether your concerns can be assessed by telehealth. Pediatric care, dietitian services, and procedures are not confirmed as available through this practice; specialist evaluation may be needed.
General education, not a diagnosis, prescription, or complete list of risks. Treatment and drug approvals can change. Your clinician should check current labeling and your health history. Do not start, stop, or change medicine based on this guide. Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency.
Ready to take the next step?
Find your registration and intake forms, visit fees and insurance, and first-visit preparation guide.