Health Conditions
Losing Weight: Questions for the Doctor
Losing weight can be challenging. Talk to your doctor or nurse about how to lose weight in a way that’s right for you.
What do I ask the doctor?
When you visit the doctor, it helps to have questions ready ahead of time. You can also ask a family member or friend to go with you to take notes.
Consider taking this list of questions to your next appointment.
- How does my weight affect my health?
- Do I have a health problem that’s affecting my weight?
- How can losing weight improve my health?
- What’s a healthy weight for me?
- How much weight should I aim to lose?
- How long will it take me to lose weight?
You may also want to ask about healthy ways to lose weight. For example:
- What are healthy ways to lose weight and avoid gaining it back?
- How can I change my eating habits?
- What kinds of physical activity are best for me to meet my weight goals?
- Are there any kinds of physical activity I need to avoid because of my health conditions?
- Could a weight loss program help me?
- What type of weight loss program would you recommend for me?
You can also add your own questions after learning how to aim for a healthy weight.
Content last updated July 21, 2023
Reviewer Information
This information on losing weight was adapted from materials from the National Institutes of Health Weight-control Information Network (WIN).
Reviewed by:
Dennis Anderson-Villaluz, MBA, RD, LDN, FAND
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
Nutrition Advisor, Division of Prevention Science
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Kara Beckman, PhD
ORISE Nutrition Policy Fellow
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Dana DeSilva
ORISE Health Policy Fellow
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
