Weight management, loss key to avoiding obesity and related health problems

April 16, 2007, DANVILLE, PA. – Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the accumulation of fat on the liver, leading to inflammation and scarring. The disease is linked to America’s obesity problem.

Of particular concern is that fatty liver is becoming more prevalent in younger and younger patients; even overweight teenagers, said Christopher Still, DO, director of Geisinger’s Center for Nutrition and Weight Management.

“With the significant increase in obesity, patients are being diagnosed with fatty liver more and more and it can be quite serious,” Still said. “Early screening and detection early in a person’s life is important, before it leads to other major health issues.”

To help people lose weight and manage fatty liver along with other obesity related medical conditions, the Center for Nutrition and Weight Management tailors several different options to the person’s individual needs, including exercise, better eating, medication and possibly bariatric surgery.

The key to losing weight and avoiding conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is to take a gradual approach, Still said.

“You have to think long-term,” Still said. “If you steadily work at it and have reasonable weight loss goals, your overall health will improve.”

Left unchecked, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can advance to the stage where a liver transplant may be needed. Meanwhile, bariatric surgery is an option for people who are severely obese to treat fatty liver before a liver transplant is needed.

Aside from the personal health toll, there’s also a financial cost. For instance, a liver transplant costs about $370,000 on average, while bariatric surgery costs $40,000 in Pennsylvania, depending on the negotiated rate with the person’s health plan. (These costs are not what the patient pays, but the average costs for the provider.)

For more information regarding fatter liver disease or Geisinger’s Center for Nutrition and Weight management call (570) 271-6439.

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