Healthy Living

You hear a lot about diet and exercise when it comes to losing weight, and for good reason.

But make no mistake about it: emotional and behavioral issues are key reasons for gaining and losing weight.

That’s why we at the Backus Weight Loss Center are so passionate about a new program we are developing — a medically-based Weight Management and Wellness Program — which will include a behavioral health component.

Our recent Community Health Needs Assessment survey showed that Windham and New London counties have a major problem with obesity. More than 40% of residents surveyed in Windham and New London counties are overweight, higher than the national average.

Our Weight Management and Wellness program will give us a new tool to help fix this worsening obesity problem that causes so many other chronic and potentially deadly conditions.

In addition to diet and exercise, our experts in the Weight Management and Wellness program will provide education on overcoming the mental aspects that can impact your ability to lose weight. We are currently in the process of developing the program and finalizing topics, which could include goal-setting, perfectionism, self esteem and stress.

Whether you had bariatric surgery or are just trying to lose 20 pounds, changing behavior and overcoming psychological issues can help you succeed in losing weight — and keeping it off.

Mark Tousignant, MD, is a minimally invasive general surgeon with Backus Physician Services and Medical Director of the Backus Weight Loss Center. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs or e-mail Dr. Tousignant or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org