Laredo Medical Center Promotes Healthy Eating for Better Health
3/7/2025
LAREDO, TX – In a promising yet modest shift, a national study reveals that the United States obesity rate decreased slightly from 46% to 45.6% in 2023, marking the first decline in more than a decade. While this decrease offers a glimmer of hope, obesity continues to pose a major public health challenge with far-reaching implications, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Tyler King, D.O., ABOM, a board-certified physician in family medicine and obesity medicine at Primary Care Associates of Laredo, said that it’s important to focus on healthy eating to prevent and manage these chronic conditions. Whether the goal is to lose weight, reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, or manage the symptoms of an existing condition, a balanced diet plays a key role in overall health.
“Good nutrition is essential in preventing and managing a variety of conditions, from high blood pressure and high cholesterol to diabetes and heart disease,” said Dr. King. "Eating the right foods can significantly improve your quality of life and help you maintain a healthy weight."
Obesity and diabetes link
Obesity is closely linked to the development of type 2 diabetes. For individuals with diabetes, controlling blood sugar is crucial, and diet plays an integral part. Managing food intake, meal timing, and portion sizes can greatly impact blood glucose levels, helping to prevent complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.
A study by the National Institutes of Health found that a modest weight loss of 5 to 7% of body weight – equivalent to about 15 pounds – can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by nearly 60%. Achieving this through a low-fat diet and regular exercise can help manage and prevent diabetes.
Nutritional Counseling
People who are on a medically-supervised diet for weight loss or health reasons usually see a dietitian for individual counseling and weight management, in conjunction with your doctor’s plan for your care. A professional dietitian or nutritional counselor can also help design a program to aid in weight loss for patients preparing for bariatric surgery or heart surgery.
“If you are recovering from surgery, or have high cholesterol or hypertension, your doctor may recommend that you consult with a professional dietitian to design a low-sodium, heart-healthy diet that will support goals for your recovery and long-term health,” said Dr. King.
Persons beginning a weight loss program for preventive health reasons, or as part of a chronic disease management plan, should talk with their doctor about the resources available to support their long-term goals.
Bariatric Weight Loss
Laredo Medical Center offers Bariatric Weight Loss services consisting of a specially trained team of professionals who work closely with a patient and his/her primary care physician to create a personalized plan that promotes their physical and emotional well-being. Persons can find out if they are a candidate for bariatric weight loss surgery by taking a free online assessment at https://rebrand.ly/lcceghf.
Getting Started
A physician’s order from your primary doctor is generally required for nutritional counseling and any other related wellness services. Search for a primary care provider by visiting https://www.laredophysicianassociates.com/family-medicine-care.
Laredo Medical Center offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox from a trusted medical source. Sign up today by visiting https://www.laredomedical.com/enewsletter-sign-up.
Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.
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