Dangerous weight and eating issues are now epidemic in western society.  Making healthy food choices not only improves our health, decreases our risk for health problems, and shows our children and friends that food can be good and good for us.

Many weight issues go beyond simple food choices and require important diagnostic work and specific therapeutic interventions to be successful. Most weight issues need long term follow up and support.

Healthy weight and healthy food choices

What is a healthy weight – we use several measures, most commonly the BMI or basal metabolic index that is a ratio between your height and weight. Healthy ranges are generally thought to be 21-25, with 26-30 as overweight and 30-35 as obese and over 35 as morbidly obese.  Under 21 is also considered a problem, as too little weight for height. 

We also know that folks can have a ‘normal’ BMI and not be healthy.

For women – waist measures over 35 and for men over 40 are associated with increased risks.

Food choices are also critically important. It is not possible to maintain a ‘normal’  BMI and eat fried potatoes and greasy hamburgers and soda all day.

So the new food pyramid with whole grains, vegetables and fruits, small amounts of sugar and healthy protein is key to overall good health.

Overweight and obesity

Diets are everywhere – and, in general, diets do not work in the long run.

Losing weight is a matter of not only achieving a healthy weight but an overall healthy condition that includes regular exercise and healthy food choices.

Fitness trumps fatness- so that at any weight, working to achieve fitness with good exercise is critical. Anyone can exercise and we work with you to find the exercise program that works with and for you.  The only exercise that is important is the one that you will DO. Start slow, work for consistency; notice how you feel when you exercise. Get support.

Anorexia and eating disorders

These conditions are challenging to recognize and diagnose. They require a team approach that includes family involvement, nutrition, counseling, medical supervision, and long term follow up.

Two IMC providers have over 12 years experience working with eating disorders

Gary Nichols, MD – Internist – former director of Cornell University outpatient eating disorders clinic and Medical Director of Cornell’s inpatient unit.

Barbara Birsinger, RD, ThD – staff nutritionist for QUEST Eating Disorder program at Psych Strategies in Santa Rosa.
 

IMC offers individualized programs, and offers additional support beyond the local group programs. Clients both in group programs and those that are not part of a program are welcome to discuss their situation with Drs. Nichols and/or Birsinger.

Treatment Ideas

Start with a food log – for 3-4 days write down:

What you eat – note whether fresh, processed, etc.

When you eat – eating breakfast has been shown to help with weight loss.

How much you eat – use the size of the palm of your hand as ‘one serving’.

Notice how you feel each day.

IMC Providers with special interest in weight and eating issues

Barbara Birsinger, RD, ThD – Dietician, Intuitive Eating

Gary Nichols, MD – Internist – experienced with eating disorders

Moses Goldberg, ND – Naturopathic Doctor

Beverly Benoit, MFT –  Counseling

Behavior Change Support providers