Obesity is a complex disease affecting millions of Americans nationwide. Today, there are many options available for the treatment of obesity; however, individuals often express frustration in trying to work with their healthcare provider when it comes to treating their obesity. Patients say that they often hear the words "Eat less and move more." Unfortunately, treating obesity is not that simple.

Jennifer Whirley‐Diaz, MD, Carmel, IN, a member of The Obesity Society (TOS), recognizes the importance of medical treatment for obesity and is now among the first physicians in the United States and Canada to become certified in treating people for the disease. On December 6th 2012, Dr. Whirley‐ Diaz became the first physician in the state of Indiana, to receive her Achievement of Diplomate from The American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM). 

The world of weight loss is wacky. Are raspberry ketones the answer? They worked for your friend. Maybe if you take garcinia cambogia? It was featured on TV. Do you need bariatric surgery? What are you willing to do to lose weight? If you ask yourself these questions day after day, clearly whatever you're doing is not working for you.

Physical fitness and appearance are important to so many women. We spend thousands of dollars annually on beauty products, fitness regimes, and weight loss aids. Even so, being overweight or obese is a growing crisis in this country. The condition not only affects the way your jeans fit, but also has huge health implications.

Imagine you are walking by a pastry shop, and you catch a whiff of warm, sweet cinnamon rolls. Your mouth begins to salivate and your senses heighten; you are in a state of arousal and expectation, and something urges you to open the door and step inside.

Obesity is an epidemic in this country. It is a rapidly growing health issue that affects so many aspects of our lives. There are, of course, the everyday problem that it brings....These issues are hard enough to deal with, but there are more profound and serious health concerns associated with those extra pounds. Overweight and obese individuals have an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver, depression, and certain cancers.

If you're among the two-thirds of Americans who are overweight or obese, shedding pounds is anobrainer way to save. For example, "even losing 7% of your weight may lower blood pressure enough to erase the need formedication," says Cheryl Rock, a professor at the medical school at the University of California San Diego. 

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Problem is, losing weight and keeping it off isn't easy.

Civil engineer Jon Stotz knows a thing or two about numbers. But even though his doctors had been telling him for years that he needed to lose 20 to 25 pounds, and even though his BMI numbers labeled him as 'obese," Jon just didn't believe it. 'I was extremely tired, with no energy,' he says. 'I returned to the gym some, but I began to realize that I wasn't able to do much of what I'd done previously."