A recent report by the New Jersey Hospital Association's Center for Health Analytics, Research, and Transformation found the number of New Jersey patients with underlying obesity has more than doubled since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study analyzed medical claims data of patients who went to New Jersey emergency departments (ED) between 2017 and 2022.
The number of ED patient visits of all ages – both pediatric and adult – with a diagnosis of obesity/overweight increased by 126% while the number of diagnoses for pediatric patients under the age of 18 increased by 236%.
In these patients, other health conditions were also more prevalent, including hypertension, also known as high blood pressure; asthma; diabetes; and mental health conditions.
The morbid obesity rate has been increasing over the last several decades. By 2030, it is predicted 50% of Americans will have obesity, according to a 2019 research study. The key is to be more preventive as it is a multifactorial issue. Diet, exercise, portion control, healthy food choices, mental health, genetics, culture, behavior, and climate all play a role. The good thing is that multiple options and help are available from medical and surgical standpoints. Each person should be treated as an individual and personalized approach to come up with the best plan and options for them. No one person is the same. At Valley, we take into consideration the patient’s history and goals and then come up with a complete treatment plan. Together, we can make a difference.
The Valley Approach to Weight Loss
At Valley LifeStart: The Center for Weight and Wellness™ our multidisciplinary team of professionals works with patients to evaluate the many traditional and evolving treatments to determine the best approach to losing weight based on medical history, family history, lifestyle, and personal preferences.
Our weight-loss services include both surgical approaches and nonsurgical medical weight management.
Central to Valley’s program is its holistic, comprehensive approach. The program is not just about weight management but focuses on total health and can involve the patient’s family where appropriate. Through a personalized approach to care, Valley LifeStart™ provides patients with the tools to lose weight successfully, maintain success, and live healthier, fuller lives.
To make an appointment at Valley LifeStart, please call 201-251-3480. Learn more about our program and services here.
About the Author
Dr. Seema Dhorajia is a general and bariatric surgeon at Valley LifeStart: The Center for Weight and Wellness™. She specializes in gallbladder, hernia, colon, obstruction, GERD, and weight-loss surgery.
