When To See A Doctor: Obesity

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

When to see a doctor

Not everyone needs to see a doctor in order to lose weight, but some people might want to consider this route for two reasons. The first is to get professional guidance. If you haven't been able to lose weight on your own by dieting and exercising, your doctor may be able to help by making specific recommendations. The second reason to see a doctor is to be evaluated for health complications that might be associated with your excess weight. It's important to have a medical evaluation if you are over 40, or if you are younger and have any health problems. Such an assessment can provide you with added motivation to lose weight — to help lower your blood pressure; to reduce your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, or cancer; or to live a longer, healthier life.

Chances are, your primary care physician can perform this evaluation. Depending on what the doctor finds, he or she may refer you to a nutritionist or dietitian to assess your eating habits, or to a therapist to address any psychological issues that may be interfering with your ability to attain a healthy weight. If you have obesity — or if you are overweight and have obesity-related conditions — your doctor may refer you to a medical group that specializes in weight loss or to a hospital-based weight-loss center.

Last updated:	June 20, 2007