Approximately 70 percent of American adults are overweight or obese, putting them at an increased risk for developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer and other weight-related problems. With a heart for helping our families, friends and neighbors live their best lives, our experts are ready to share information about one of today’s newest —and most promising — medical weight-loss treatments.
Weight-Related Problems
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines being overweight as having a body mass index (BMI) of 25-30 and being obese as having a BMI greater than 30. Compared to people with a healthy weight, people who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of developing serious health conditions and diseases, such as:
- Breathing issues
- Chronic aches and pains
- Coronary heart disease
- Gallbladder disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Low quality of life
- Many types of cancer
- Mental illnesses
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Stroke
- Trouble with physical activity
- Type 2 diabetes
Losing five to ten percent of your body weight can create significant health benefits and sometimes even alleviate many of these health conditions altogether.
Ways to Lose Excess Weight
If you’re overweight or obese, there are many ways to lose weight, including making lifestyle modifications like limiting your food intake and getting regular exercise. However, studies indicate that people with chronic weight issues often aren’t as successful with these methods as they’d like to be. Ongoing weight management involves making dozens of small daily decisions and usually requires support. Talk to your doctor if losing weight is a personal health goal. Your care team can be a great resource throughout your weight-loss journey.
When lifestyle changes aren’t enough to help you make the progress you need, your doctor also has access to the latest research and promising new treatments. With today’s medical advances, there are more options than ever, including medications to help you manage your weight and minimally invasive weight-loss procedures. Ultimately, it’s up to you and your care team to find the best option for you.
About Zepbound
Many think that the hard work is done once you’ve lost weight. But the truth is your initial weight loss is only the beginning of the story; on the contrary, keeping the weight off is a life-long endeavor. But thanks to medications like Zepbound, which can be used in combination with diet and exercise, you have more tools than ever before to help with ongoing weight management.
You may have heard of Zepbound or other injection medications referred to as a “diabetic shot for weight loss.” And that’s because the active drug in Zepbound, tirzepatide, is already approved by the FDA to be used alongside diet and exercise to improve glucose (blood sugar) in adults with Type 2 diabetes. But now, Zepbound has been approved for a wider range of medical uses, including weight management. These weight-loss injections reduce appetite by acting on hormone receptors, and they work in combination with lifestyle changes to help people lose weight and keep it off.
As with all prescription drugs, Zepbound has some known side effects, including:
- Abdominal discomfort
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Hair loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Is Zepbound Right for Me?
Weight management improves your health now — and as you age. Our clinical providers can help you create a safe and effective plan if you're trying to lose weight. Talk with your primary care provider to determine if a weight-management medication like Zepbound is right for you.
