Healthy weight control is a common problem, but that does not make it any easier.
University of Michigan Health has gathered experts across many specialties – including nutrition, exercise physiology and personal training, mental health, gastroenterology, cardiology, endocrinology, and bariatric surgery. Together, we design programs and provide treatment options to help you based on your specific needs.
Your care team will help identify strategies for long-term weight management, while educating and empowering you to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Every individual has unique needs – no single method to achieve weight control will be appropriate for everyone. We are here to help find the right tools for you.
About Obesity and Excess Weight
Obesity is a complex metabolic disease that occurs as a result of many factors that can include genetic make-up, health circumstances, and environmental forces.
Obesity may increase the risk of other health issues and diseases including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, lung disease, arthritis, liver disease and a number of other conditions.
Attaining and maintaining a healthier weight can help reduce the chance of developing these diseases, or help you better control them.
Programs and Services for Weight Control
University of Michigan Health offers a variety of programs to support individuals on their weight control journey. The methods used to help control weight will vary depending on the program. All programs have a goal of improving health.
Some programs are designed to help individuals lose weight or maintain weight loss. Our care teams will share tools and strategies to help with weight loss and maintenance including medical nutrition therapy (diet), physical activity, behavioral modification, mental health services, medication use, procedures, or surgery. Each program seeks to promote health improvement, but the combination of tools and strategies used with each person will vary to meet their individual needs.
Other clinics help screen for and assess complicated health conditions that are related to excess weight or obesity. These conditions could either contribute to weight difficulties or could be a consequence of weight issues. Our teams provide specialized expertise to make these assessments. Based on the consultation and assessment, patients may be directed to a weight treatment program.
What program is right for you?
Your primary care provider can help determine which type of program is right for you.
Factors that should be considered in a discussion with your primary care provider may include:
- Clinical characteristics including body mass index (BMI), medical conditions, and weight history
- Personal preferences
- Scheduling/availability to participate
- Insurance coverage
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Interest in research participation
Our Weight Navigation Program is also available to provide a specialized assessment and in-depth discussion about treatment options to help determine the right program for you.
Shaping the Future of Weight Control
Michigan Medicine is committed to a better understanding of obesity including its causes, complications, and treatments. Participation in research is a way to improve both current and future care of obesity. Many of our programs provide opportunities for involvement in research.
Weight Control Services
Bariatric Surgery
The U-M Health Adult Bariatric Surgery Program offers a comprehensive, personalized weight loss surgery program designed to help patients reach their health goals.If you are struggling to lose weight, are over the age of 18 years old, and are willing to make a lifelong commitment to your health, weight loss surgery may be for you.
Endoscopic Bariatric Therapy
Endoscopic Bariatric Therapy (EBT) procedures are designed for individuals who are not candidates for weight loss surgery or who prefer a less invasive, non-surgical alternative.
Lipid Management Program
The Lipid Management Program, a division of U-M Health's Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Rehabilitation program, offers a multidisciplinary service to control your lipids and reduce your risk for heart disease.
Metabolic Fitness
The Metabolic Fitness Program combines exercise, nutrition, stress management and strategies for behavior change in a supportive group atmosphere to facilitate positive lifestyle changes. The 24-week program includes weekly online meetings via Zoom for lectures, group discussions and exercise, allowing for participation from home.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Clinic
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition of the liver that is characterized by fat accumulation (also known as steatosis) in the liver, occurring in individuals who consume little or no alcohol. Improving liver fat and inflammation is possible through lifestyle changes and weight loss.
Nutrition Services
U-M Health Nutrition Services staff can provide personalized diet recommendations. Every U-M Health registered dietitian has completed at least a 4-year degree from an accredited college or university, and has advanced training or specialty certification.
Pediatric Weight Management
The Pediatric Weight Management Clinic at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital uses a family-based behavioral approach, designed for patients 2-18 years old with a BMI at or above the 85th percentile.
Weight Management Program
The Weight Management and Obesity Program is an evidence-based, medically-supervised two year program in which individuals work with endocrinologists and dietitians to achieve and maintain at least 10-15% loss of weight. Variations of the program are also available to support individuals seeking weight loss for preconception or fertility care, to manage or cure type 2 diabetes, or for families seeking a family-centered weight management program.
Weight Navigation Program
When individuals and their primary care providers need guidance choosing the right weight control program, the Weight Navigation Program can provide expert assistance from a physician trained in obesity medicine.
Other Weight Control Programs & Services
University of Michigan Health offers a variety of programs to support individuals on their weight control journey.
In addition to the specialized weight control programs, several other clinics at U-M Health offer services that screen for and assess complicated health conditions that are related to excess weight or obesity. These conditions could either contribute to weight difficulties or could be a consequence of weight issues.
Hormonal Disorders
Certain hormonal disorders can contribute to excess weight or obesity. While this is rare, sometimes individuals will benefit from an evaluation with an expert in the field of endocrinology. Physicians in the U-M Health metabolism, endocrinology and diabetes (MEND) clinic provide expertise in endocrine and metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and diseases of other hormonal glands including the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid. Learn more about our metabolism, endocrinology and diabetes clinic. We also offer a pediatric endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism clinic.
Post-Bariatric Surgery Care
Individuals who have had bariatric surgery benefit from follow-up care. The U-M Health Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes (MEND) clinic offers expertise in post-surgery obesity and bariatric care. This can include medical assessment and monitoring, testing for complications, behavioral strategy discussions, nutrition review and recommendations, vitamin/mineral assessment and guidance (including lab testing), medical treatment for further weight loss if necessary; and sub-specialty referrals if needed, for example to plastic surgery or gastroenterology. Learn more about our metabolism, endocrinology and diabetes clinic.
Lipodystrophy/Atypical Diabetes
There are rare syndromes that can cause excess weight or obesity and/or diabetes in ways that do not fit the usual patterns for these diseases. Lipodystrophy is a general term for a group of rare disorders that are characterized by complete or partial loss of adipose (fat) tissue. Some forms of lipodystrophy are developed over time, others are inherited. The degree of severity and the specific areas of the body affected can vary among the lipodystrophies. U-M Health endocrinologists provide special expertise in these rare conditions. Learn more about our metabolism, endocrinology and diabetes clinic.
Obesity Hypoventilation
Some individuals who are obese may struggle with difficulty breathing. This can be a hallmark symptom of obesity hypoventilation syndrome. Excess weight can lead to an imbalance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood. Too much carbon dioxide and not enough oxygen can result in breathing trouble. Serious health problems can result if this is not treated. U-M Health pulmonologists can diagnose obesity hypoventilation and provide treatment recommendations. Learn more about our pulmonology clinic.
Metabolic Disorders
Patients who have obesity in association with another metabolic disorder, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and/or triglycerides, diabetes, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, may benefit from care through our U-M Health metabolism, endocrinology and diabetes (MEND) clinic. After a comprehensive evaluation, long-term treatment plans are set through close collaboration between the patient and our care team. These plans could include individual or combined approaches, including bariatric surgery, medical therapies, nutrition counseling, and eating disorder therapies. Learn more about our metabolism, endocrinology and diabetes clinic.
U-M Employee Programs
MHealthy offers a variety of health and well-being programs and services to faculty and staff members. Our programs reflect the many factors that affect your quality of life and play a part in achieving balance, purpose, and vitality in your career and at home.
If you are unsure where to begin with choosing a program to support your weight control journey, our Weight Navigation Program is also available to provide a specialized assessment and in-depth discussion about treatment options to help determine the right program for you.