Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen

So we have machines, right? So the gold standard for a body composition is an MRI, but we're not going to do MRI on every patient on every visit. The second is DEXA. And then the third, which is the more accessible, is body impedance, also known as InBody. There's different versions of it. So those are the ones that are more easy, accessible, and they offer no radiation to the patient.

And we do body compositions on initial visit and every visit when somebody starts on a weight loss journey.

And we do body compositions on initial visit and every visit when somebody starts on a weight loss journey.

And we do body compositions on initial visit and every visit when somebody starts on a weight loss journey.

No. No. Most patients that come is because they need them and because they've done their work and it's just not working. It's just not happening.

No. No. Most patients that come is because they need them and because they've done their work and it's just not working. It's just not happening.

No. No. Most patients that come is because they need them and because they've done their work and it's just not working. It's just not happening.

So first, starting with a very thorough weight assessment. So I need to know at what age were they conscious about their weight, at what age were they trying or being consciously about the eat or they were told they need to lose weight. For many patients, they tell me nine, ten. Also, I need to know their medical history.

So first, starting with a very thorough weight assessment. So I need to know at what age were they conscious about their weight, at what age were they trying or being consciously about the eat or they were told they need to lose weight. For many patients, they tell me nine, ten. Also, I need to know their medical history.

So first, starting with a very thorough weight assessment. So I need to know at what age were they conscious about their weight, at what age were they trying or being consciously about the eat or they were told they need to lose weight. For many patients, they tell me nine, ten. Also, I need to know their medical history.

Are there comorbidities that can contribute to obesity or medications that they're taking that can contribute to obesity? Then I go into a deep family history. I need to know up to two generations before. What was your parents', your grandparents' weight, your uncles' weight? If they have children, how is your children's weight? I need to see if there's a familial factor contributing to obesity.

Are there comorbidities that can contribute to obesity or medications that they're taking that can contribute to obesity? Then I go into a deep family history. I need to know up to two generations before. What was your parents', your grandparents' weight, your uncles' weight? If they have children, how is your children's weight? I need to see if there's a familial factor contributing to obesity.

Are there comorbidities that can contribute to obesity or medications that they're taking that can contribute to obesity? Then I go into a deep family history. I need to know up to two generations before. What was your parents', your grandparents' weight, your uncles' weight? If they have children, how is your children's weight? I need to see if there's a familial factor contributing to obesity.

And then I look at their gynecological history, right? Are they in perimenopause, menopause? Do they have PCOS? And then we move to the physical exam. And in that, also, we do the body composition. And there, we can really target what is it that needs to be improved or doesn't.

And then I look at their gynecological history, right? Are they in perimenopause, menopause? Do they have PCOS? And then we move to the physical exam. And in that, also, we do the body composition. And there, we can really target what is it that needs to be improved or doesn't.

And then I look at their gynecological history, right? Are they in perimenopause, menopause? Do they have PCOS? And then we move to the physical exam. And in that, also, we do the body composition. And there, we can really target what is it that needs to be improved or doesn't.

So what we consider obesity and percentage body fat is 32 and above. Normal in women is 18 to 28 percent, in men is 10 to 20 percent. So anything above those numbers, we either fall in the overweight range or in the obesity range.

So what we consider obesity and percentage body fat is 32 and above. Normal in women is 18 to 28 percent, in men is 10 to 20 percent. So anything above those numbers, we either fall in the overweight range or in the obesity range.

So what we consider obesity and percentage body fat is 32 and above. Normal in women is 18 to 28 percent, in men is 10 to 20 percent. So anything above those numbers, we either fall in the overweight range or in the obesity range.

Definitely. What we see in perimenopause and menopause with the drop of estrogen is that your body composition changes. You tend to store more body fat, central visceral body fat, and then you drop more your muscle mass. There's less lean muscle mass.