Medical practitioners are under high pressure to assist their patients in reducing weight and promote healthy lifestyle habits in a society where obesity has reached epidemic proportions.

Doctors have limited experience in nutrition science or coaching patients on healthy lifestyle choices, so, there is not an easy step toward better health. Furthermore,  most patients realize the need for physical exercise and a healthy diet.

At the same time, many are not ready to alter their unhealthy habits to lose weight and improve their chronic illnesses. Even though medicines alone are typically entirely successful for chronic disorders, lifestyle modifications have dramatically lower morbidity and death rates for most chronic diseases. Physicians may be pressured for time to promote a breakthrough in improved health by taking easy steps toward better health.

Easy steps toward better health taken by doctors

It’s surprising to know that one-third of the US population, or roughly 35% of the population, is overweight. The significance of doctors in encouraging a healthy lifestyle cannot be emphasized, given the danger of numerous obesity-related illnesses.

According to common knowledge and verified data, healthy behaviors such as minimizing stress, eating a balanced diet, and exercising have been found to prevent weight gain, promote weight loss, and enhance general health. Doctors are unable to speak with patients about their lifestyle choices due to several obstacles. Weight is a sensitive subject for most individuals, and they may be hesitant to discuss it.

Unfortunately, some doctors are reluctant to engage their patients in this discussion, but it must be done. Here are some suggestions for doctors who want to assist their patients to live a healthier life by taking easy steps toward a better life:

1. Screen patients

 It’s crucial to initiate a conversation regarding a patient’s weight; otherwise, you won’t be able to discuss healthy habits. Begin by determining your BMI. Make sure the patient understands what it implies.

2. Don’t appear judgmental

Say something brief and to the point. Verify that it expresses your worry for their weight, cholesterol, or blood sugar levels (whatever the problem is). Be truthful while being empathetic and straightforward while remaining nonjudgmental.

3. Refer your patients to dieticians

 As a doctor, learn about nutrition and how to communicate it to your patients to comprehend and apply it.   Make connections with other dietitians and direct your patients their way.

4. Be a good role model

When patients observe you adopting healthy habits, they are more inclined to listen to your advice as a doctor. Use examples from your own life in talks.

Easy steps toward better health taken by people

Following easy steps toward better health should be taken by people to keep healthy and live a happier life:

• Most days of the week, be physically active for 30 minutes. If you’re short on time, break it up into three 10-minute sessions. Walking, athletics, dancing, yoga, and jogging are all examples of healthy movement.
• Choose a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet with a moderate amount of sugar, salt, and total fat. 
• Wear seatbelts and bike helmets, install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home, and use street smarts while walking alone to prevent danger. 
• Don’t smoke, and if you do, stop. Inquire with your healthcare provider for assistance. A smoking cessation program is available at UCSF.
• If you must drink alcohol, do it in moderation. Never drink before or while driving.
• Use condoms every time you have sexual contact to help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS. Remember that condoms aren’t 100 percent effective, so talk to your doctor about STI testing. Other forms of birth control, such as tablets and implants, will not protect you against STIs or HIV.
• Brush your teeth with a soft or medium bristles toothbrush after each meal. Brushing your teeth after drinking and before going to bed is also a good idea. 
• Avoid the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun’s damaging rays are at their peak. If it’s overcast or you’re in the water, don’t assume you’re protected. Harmful rays penetrate both. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater that protects against UVA and UVB radiation. Choose sunglasses that block 99 percent or more of the sun’s rays.

Obesity is a leading cause of recent many health issues as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases. So, in these conditions, doctors focus on reducing the weights of patients according to their BMI. But there is no easy step toward better health because patients feel ashamed and embarrassed while talking with doctors about their physique.

Screen patients, don’t appear judgmental, refer your patients to dietitians, and being a good role model might be easy steps toward better health taken by doctors. While patients can take some easy steps toward better health and they’re proved effective in many studies.

These easy steps include engaging in physical activities, eating a balanced diet, quitting smoking, avoiding injury & alcohol, having a brush daily, and staying out of the sun.