The article "The 2020 Obesity Algorithm: An updated, interactive resource for physicians," first appeared on our partner site Medical Economics.

Obesity-related conditions seem to worsen the effect of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that people with heart disease and diabetes are at higher risk of COVID-19 complications, and the World Obesity Organization predicts that a large percentage of patiients with the coronavirus will have a BMI over 25. Many aspects of patient management can be more difficult in the obese patient, including diagnostic imaging, intubation, positioning, and transport, making it more important than ever for patients and their physicians to prioritize weight management strategies.

The global obesity epidemic continues its rise worldwide, obesity has tripled since 1975, according to the World Health Organization and the United States has not been immune to the increases. Stateside, obesity prevalence has been steadily increasing since the 1980s and currently, 39.6 percent of adults live with obesity. Given the epidemics broad scope, it is imperative that clinicians and other health care professionals equip themselves with tools and resources to meet the needs of a growing patient population with obesity.

The Need for Advanced Obesity Medicine Knowledge

Despite the growing number of Americans living with this serious chronic and treatable condition, there is a significant opportunity for clinicians to further their knowledge of obesity medicine. The sheer complexity and heterogeneity of the condition make it vital for clinicians to understand of its potential manifestations, complications, and outcomes as well as the growing number of viable treatment options available.

Discussions about patients weight status are associated with clinically significant weight loss. These ongoing dialogues with patients can become even more impactful when clinicians are conscientious about the approach and resources brought into treatment plans.

The Obesity Algorithm

Created by the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) seven years ago, the Obesity Algorithm offers comprehensive clinical guidance that enables clinicians to stay ahead of the latest obesity management trends and learn valuable evidence-based medical approaches to bring into their practices.

Regardless of speciality, the Obesity Algorithm is a powerful and relevant tool for all clinicians practicing medicine against the backdrop of a growing obesity epidemic. The Obesity Algorithm contains important information on the mechanisms, evaluation and treatment of obesity. It also explains why obesity is a disease; how obesity plays a causal role in the most common metabolic diseases; and how to treat obesity to reduce disease risk.

The 2020 Update

Each year, the Obesity Algorithm undergoes rigorous review by a committee representing a broad spectrum of clinicians, allied healthcare professionals, clinical researchers, academics and other experts in obesity science.

This years updated Obesity Algorithm includes new information on:

The 2020 algorithm also features new interactive capabilities, with clickable links to OMA podcasts and webinars hosted by obesity experts that offer readers the opportunity to dive deeper into the topics covered in the text. And for clinicians who have the desire to learn more but not the time, the 2020 update presents an easily digestible Top Ten summary of each section.

Bringing the Obesity Algorithm into Practice

Along with being a powerful tool for obesity treatment and weight management, the Obesity Algorithm also offers several useful applications for healthcare professionals. It can be used as a training resource for team members to advance their knowledge of obesity medicine and current treatment options. And it can serve as an effective study resource for healthcare professionals seeking ABOM (American Board of Obesity Medicine) certification.

Empower yourself and your practice with an interactive tool that will enable you to better meet the critical needs of your patients with obesity. The 2020 Obesity Algorithm is free to access and download for OMA members. In addition to digital and (new in 2020) print versions, a free PowerPoint of the algorithm is available for download.

Visit https://obesitymedicine.org/obesity-algorithm/ for the 2020 Obesity Algorithm and other obesity medicine resources.

Harold Bays, MD, is the OMA Chief Science Officer and has served as scientific writer of the OMA Obesity Algorithm (slides and eBook) each year since its beginning in 2013. He is Medical Director and President of the Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center, and has served as a Principal Investigator for over 500 clinical trials. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine

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The Obesity Algorithm: Why Weight Management May Be More Important Now Than Ever - Endocrinology Network

During lockdown weight gain is perhaps inevitable, and not necessarily the end of the world. But if you want to lose weight or at least not put on too much extra weight there is one thing you can do that is almost certain to help. It is very obvious when you think about it, and arguably not that easy, but it will give positive results, and perhaps it might not have occurred to you before.

So, you want to know how to avoid isolation weight gain at home? There is one item in a lot of people's diet that could be easily cut and would result in losing weight faster. You guessed it: the culprit is alcohol. No one needs a lecture about why alcohol is bad for your health but I think a lot of you don't realise how consuming alcohol effects your diet and your weight loss. Or your weight gain, more accurately.

If Google Trends is anything to go by, everyone seems to be having more booze than usual now that we are in full lockdown. And in the case of the UK in particular, that is saying something.

Best protein shake blender: there are brands other than Nutribullet, you know

Let's get one thing out of the way right at the beginning: the best way to lose weight is not to exercise more, but to eat less. Especially now that we have to stay indoors almost all the time, eating the same amount of food as we used to will result in us putting on weight. Cutting back on calories of any sort will help you in your weight loss battle. No news there.

There are a lot of misconceptions about alcohol and as I mentioned above, I'm not here to lecture anyone about just how bad it is to consume alcoholic beverages. Sure, some types of alcohols contain certain micronutrients (like minerals) that can be beneficial for health, but this doesn't outweigh the negative effects of these drinks.

One very important thing to realise about alcohol is that it is basically pure carbohydrate. Carbs are one of the three main macronutrients your body needs to function; the other two are lipids (fats) and protein. This doesn't mean your body needs alcohol to function, on the contrary. Drinking alcohol adds nothing to your diet, alcohol calories are just 'empty calories'.

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Just how many calories, though? There are a few options that are considered 'low-calorie' drinks, like vodka and diet coke. Although diet coke can be considered free of calories (still pretty bad in every way) a double shot (50 ml) of vodka contains over 100 calories. You would have to run 10 minutes to burn off those calories and that is just one drink.

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How about beer? A small bottle (12 oz/355 ml) of Goose Island IPA is 208 calories, twice as much as what's in a double shot vodka plus diet coke combo. And whoever has only one small bottle of beer when they drink? That's right, no one.

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Maybe wine? A bottle (750 ml) of Cabernet Sauvignon is just under 600 calories, meaning that two medium glasses (approx. 175 ml) contain around 250-300 calories.

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The best idea, of course, is to keep your alcohol consumption to the minimum. As I mentioned in the 'how to lose weight at home' article, being mindful about your diet and food/drink intake can help. Before you pour yourself another drink, ask yourself: do I want another drink? Am I bored? Is there another task I'm putting off by drinking?

Admittedly, on some occasions, especially during social gatherings, it is pretty challenging to get out of drinking at least some alcohol. When everyone is having beers and wines around you, the social pressure on you to have one too could be immense. Even in these cases, there are ways to reduce consumption.

If you are a wine drinker, have a soda spritzer instead of just a glass of wine. You would still get the sensation of having a wine in a wine glass, but you also drink plenty of water, which dilutes the alcohol and makes it easier for your body to digest it more efficiantly.

If you are more of a beer drinker, see if there are any low calorie/alcohol-free beers in stock. A bottle of alcohol-free Holstein is only 8 calories (!) and there are plenty of low-cal options out there, especially if you live in the US.

And in any case, if you drink a glass of water after you had a drink, your stomach will fill up sooner and you will feel fuller sooner, making you less likely to drink too much alcohol. It also helps with hangovers, too.

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Want to know how to lose weight? Theres one thing thats GOT to go from your lockdown diet - T3

Today, nearly all of us are in enforced home confinement due to an invisible foe, the coronavirus. So, how do we amuse ourselves? Some pick up books theyve always wanted to read. Others get household chores done. But how about some of us losing weight? If typical busy schedules have interfered with your efforts in the past, could the current context support a concentrated effort on fasting to shed pounds? And what are the best ways to fast?

Fasting diets have generated considerable buzz among diet gurus in the media, not only as an approach to weight loss but also as a way to improve overall health. But do facts back it up?

Researchers say that animals and humans share some comment elements in the evolutionary process. One of these is that neither animals nor humans have always had the good fortune of enjoying three meals a day. Over long eras when our ancestors needed to scrounge for food, humans developed physiology capable of enduring periods without food. So the question arises, is it possible that the occasional fast might be good for us?

That seems to be true for animals. Studies show that fasting produces health benefits in laboratory animals. For instance, restrictive diet experiments involving rats and mice have delayed the progression of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and neurological disorders.

Research suggests humans derive benefits too. For example, many studies look at the health impact of fasting by large numbers of people during Ramadan. Results show a reduction in inflammation biomarkers, and this in turn can help prevent a wide range of illness, including neurodegenerative conditions. Other benefits include reduced coronary artery disease and a lower risk of diabetes. Several studies have demonstrated that fasting can decrease blood sugar levels, improve blood sugar control, and reduce insulin resistance, facilitating efforts by those with diabetes to keep levels steady and prevent spikes and crashes.

If you decide to fast during home confinement, how should you do it? Some diets involve a complete fast, allowing only water for a period of time. But many people prefer intermittent fasting. This involves eating at only certain times of the day and fasting the rest of the day. Still other fasts involve drastically reducing food intake for two or three days of the week. Remember, fasting is about calorie restriction, and this is only advantageous if there is no overeating when breaking the fast.

Dr. Sai Krupa Das of the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging says, In terms of weight loss and improvement on body composition, intermittent fasting can work, but there is not sufficient evidence to say it is superior to overall calorie restriction. In fact, the two methods appear to be pretty comparable.

A report in the journal Aging Research Reviews looked at various forms of calorie restriction. Researchers concluded that all forms of calorie restriction in overweight human subjects have shown improvement in multiple health indicators.

But Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, dean of Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, has sound advice. He says, Avoiding refined starches, grains, avoiding added sugars and other hyper-processed foods, and eating plenty of minimally processed foods such as nuts, seeds, beans, fruits, vegetables, fish, yogurt, healthy fats, and plant oils activates many natural weight controlling pathways.

The bottom line is to eat and diet in a way that works for you. Many complicated factors, including inherited genetics and socioeconomic context, make it difficult for some of us to maintain a healthy weight. But for too many of us, the problem is not genetic or societal. It is a lack of individual will and poor lifestyle choices that result in overconsumption of too many calories. This, combined with not enough exercise and confinement at home, is a recipe for trouble.

Dr. W. Gifford-Jones, aka Ken Walker, is a graduate of the University of Toronto and Harvard Medical School. You can reach him online at his website, docgiff.com, or via email at info@ docgiff.com.

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The Doctor Game: Is home confinement a good time to fast? - The Westerly Sun

On this broadcast of The National Conversation, a philosopher tackles your questions about the pandemic's effect on ethical frameworks. We also answer questions about the economy and mental health.

President Trump said he plans to "temporarily suspend immigration into the United States," in an attempt to protect American workers from the coronavirus' economic toll.

The CEO of the National Rifle Association says legal troubles have cost the powerful gun rights group $100 million, according to a recording of the group's board meeting obtained by NPR.

CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield says the agency will double the current number of positions to aid local health departments in quashing new outbreaks. They will focus on testing and contact tracing.

The group of experts, assembled under the agency run by Dr. Anthony Fauci, warns that using a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin could result in potential toxicities.

The administration and the states continue to grapple with how to move forward following the disaster.

As some states move to lift social distancing restrictions, government documents reveal how much more lethal the pandemic could still be without careful mitigation efforts.

Since South Africa went into lockdown in late March, the country's social divisions have been brought into sharper focus than ever.

The Census Bureau is trying to measure how the pandemic is affecting jobs, spending, housing, education and health in the U.S., so it's asking close to 14 million people to fill out an online survey.

Robert O'Brien said the White House doesn't know if money from China influenced the organization's decision-making, "but there are very few explanations for the way the WHO has conducted itself."

Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, announced his state paid $9 million for coronavirus test kits from a South Korean company. "If there were an easier way, we certainly would have taken it," Hogan said.

Some of the state's most popular beaches opted to stay closed and others reopened, creating a hopscotch pattern of differing polices.

Continue reading here:
Health Crisis Is Taking Mental Toll On Health Care Workers, Continued - North Country Public Radio

On this broadcast of The National Conversation, a philosopher tackles your questions about the pandemic's effect on ethical frameworks. We also answer questions about the economy and mental health.

President Trump said he plans to "temporarily suspend immigration into the United States," in an attempt to protect American workers from the coronavirus' economic toll.

The CEO of the National Rifle Association says legal troubles have cost the powerful gun rights group $100 million, according to a recording of the group's board meeting obtained by NPR.

CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield says the agency will double the current number of positions to aid local health departments in quashing new outbreaks. They will focus on testing and contact tracing.

The group of experts, assembled under the agency run by Dr. Anthony Fauci, warns that using a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin could result in potential toxicities.

The administration and the states continue to grapple with how to move forward following the disaster.

As some states move to lift social distancing restrictions, government documents reveal how much more lethal the pandemic could still be without careful mitigation efforts.

Since South Africa went into lockdown in late March, the country's social divisions have been brought into sharper focus than ever.

The Census Bureau is trying to measure how the pandemic is affecting jobs, spending, housing, education and health in the U.S., so it's asking close to 14 million people to fill out an online survey.

Robert O'Brien said the White House doesn't know if money from China influenced the organization's decision-making, "but there are very few explanations for the way the WHO has conducted itself."

Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, announced his state paid $9 million for coronavirus test kits from a South Korean company. "If there were an easier way, we certainly would have taken it," Hogan said.

Some of the state's most popular beaches opted to stay closed and others reopened, creating a hopscotch pattern of differing polices.

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Around The Country: How States Are Planning To Reopen - North Country Public Radio

On this broadcast of The National Conversation, a philosopher tackles your questions about the pandemic's effect on ethical frameworks. We also answer questions about the economy and mental health.

President Trump said he plans to "temporarily suspend immigration into the United States," in an attempt to protect American workers from the coronavirus' economic toll.

The CEO of the National Rifle Association says legal troubles have cost the powerful gun rights group $100 million, according to a recording of the group's board meeting obtained by NPR.

CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield says the agency will double the current number of positions to aid local health departments in quashing new outbreaks. They will focus on testing and contact tracing.

The group of experts, assembled under the agency run by Dr. Anthony Fauci, warns that using a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin could result in potential toxicities.

The administration and the states continue to grapple with how to move forward following the disaster.

As some states move to lift social distancing restrictions, government documents reveal how much more lethal the pandemic could still be without careful mitigation efforts.

Since South Africa went into lockdown in late March, the country's social divisions have been brought into sharper focus than ever.

The Census Bureau is trying to measure how the pandemic is affecting jobs, spending, housing, education and health in the U.S., so it's asking close to 14 million people to fill out an online survey.

Robert O'Brien said the White House doesn't know if money from China influenced the organization's decision-making, "but there are very few explanations for the way the WHO has conducted itself."

Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, announced his state paid $9 million for coronavirus test kits from a South Korean company. "If there were an easier way, we certainly would have taken it," Hogan said.

Some of the state's most popular beaches opted to stay closed and others reopened, creating a hopscotch pattern of differing polices.

Read more here:
U.S. Oil Prices Fall Below Zero For The First Time In History - North Country Public Radio

On this broadcast of The National Conversation, a philosopher tackles your questions about the pandemic's effect on ethical frameworks. We also answer questions about the economy and mental health.

President Trump said he plans to "temporarily suspend immigration into the United States," in an attempt to protect American workers from the coronavirus' economic toll.

The CEO of the National Rifle Association says legal troubles have cost the powerful gun rights group $100 million, according to a recording of the group's board meeting obtained by NPR.

CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield says the agency will double the current number of positions to aid local health departments in quashing new outbreaks. They will focus on testing and contact tracing.

The group of experts, assembled under the agency run by Dr. Anthony Fauci, warns that using a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin could result in potential toxicities.

The administration and the states continue to grapple with how to move forward following the disaster.

As some states move to lift social distancing restrictions, government documents reveal how much more lethal the pandemic could still be without careful mitigation efforts.

Since South Africa went into lockdown in late March, the country's social divisions have been brought into sharper focus than ever.

The Census Bureau is trying to measure how the pandemic is affecting jobs, spending, housing, education and health in the U.S., so it's asking close to 14 million people to fill out an online survey.

Robert O'Brien said the White House doesn't know if money from China influenced the organization's decision-making, "but there are very few explanations for the way the WHO has conducted itself."

Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, announced his state paid $9 million for coronavirus test kits from a South Korean company. "If there were an easier way, we certainly would have taken it," Hogan said.

Some of the state's most popular beaches opted to stay closed and others reopened, creating a hopscotch pattern of differing polices.

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Health Crisis Is Taking Emotional And Mental Toll On Health Care Workers - North Country Public Radio

Federal Correctional Institution at Ray Brook. File photo: Bureau of Prisons

Apr 19, 2020

The Federal Bureau of Prison now says six of the roughly 600 inmates at FCI Ray Brook, the federal prison near Saranac Lake, are now confirmed with COVID-19.

Essex County, meanwhile, reported Saturday that a total of seven inmates are sick with the virus county-wide. They report that one inmate has been hospitalized with the disease.

In addition to FCI Ray Brook, Essex County also has a state prison for younger offenders in Ray Brook and a state prison for adults in Moriah-Port Henry.

Six corrections officers ill

A total of six FCI Ray Brook corrections officers have also contracted the virus. Local, state and federal officials have been particulaly concerned about an outbreak at one of the Noth Country's prisons.

In all, more than 9,000 inmates are serving time in the region's local, state and federal lockups.

According to this data, inmates now account for roughly one in five COVID-19 positive tests in Essex County.

In addition to those confirmed sick, Essex County says 50 people are in some form of quarantine or isolation. It's unclear whether any of those individuals are in state or federal correctional facilities.

Continued here:
Seven inmates now ill with COVID-19 in Essex County - North Country Public Radio

Ive simply got to lose weight, I dont like what Im seeing on the scales, Starting tomorrow, my weight loss diet begins. These are phrases weve probably all muttered at some point. But theres a good chance were a little oblivious to the fact that its not weight we want to lose, but fat.

Its logical to assume the two come hand in hand, and in a sense they do, but theres a crucial difference that fitness coach James Kew has addressed in his latest Instagram post. Its certainly opened up the eyes of this writer.

James says a typical diet you put yourself through to help aid weight loss is all well and good, but a lot of the weight you lose will be muscle, and the end result will be that you look skinny fat.

What does a typical weight loss program look like? James Instagram post says that if we only have a low intake of protein, engage solely in cardio training (running, cycling, rowing) and dont include any weight training and put ourselves through the aforementioned crash diet, then its realistic to lose weight.

But as he points out, youll end up dropping muscle mass at the same time, not ideal if its shredded abs youre after.

To lose FAT, rather than weight, the key is to focus on muscle growth/retention whilst using a moderate calorie deficit.

But what can you do to help lose fat, rather than weight? Weight training and sufficient protein are key, according to James. However, in conjunction with having a high intake of protein, you also need to put your body through a calorie deficit, whereby you consume fewer calories than the amount your burn through physical activity.

A calorie deficit is different from a crash diet, as you need to calculate the optimum number of calories you need to consume, relative to the number of calories you burn on average each through a combination of physical exercise and rest. Most health and fitness professionals will recommend a maximum calorie deficit of 500, but anywhere between 300 500 is seen as an optimum amount to aid with fat loss.

As fitness coach Graeme Tomlinson has previously said, When an individual embarks on fat loss, one must enjoy their energy consumption, be aware of energy intake in relation to their energy output, and consistently ensure that they are in a state of caloric deficit,

To ensure progress, one may have to change and adjust their dietary habits. But instead of completely radicalising the diet, adherence to change may be more likely if one makes subtle changes over time. For example: consuming the same volume of lower calorie foods and drinks that replicate higher the calorie versions in my experience.

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The True Difference Between Weight & Fat Loss, Revealed By Fitness Expert - D'Marge

Some people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may struggle to keep weight on or take it off, but IBS itself is not the real culprit behind this conundrum. Find out how weight, stress and IBS are connected, and the best ways to manage all three.

Gaining or losing weight may be an issue for those with IBS, but the reasons why may surprise you.

Image Credit: Rostislav_Sedlacek/iStock/GettyImages

IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects up to 45 million people in the U.S., according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. It affects the large and small intestines, and because some of their functions are regulated by the brain, IBS is often referred to as a brain-gut disorder.

The cause of IBS isn't completely understood, but genetics or past stressful life experiences (like trauma) are thought to play a role.

Symptoms can include cramping, gas, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation and can range from moderate to severe.

These symptoms can be similar to other digestive conditions, such as celiac or Crohn's disease, so a doctor would need to rule out these conditions before diagnosing someone with IBS, says Sophie Balzora, MD, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone.

The pain of IBS symptoms may cause some people to fear certain foods.

Image Credit: Charday Penn/iStock/GettyImages

People with IBS can experience some weight loss, but it isn't an actual symptom of the disorder. Instead, it sometimes happens as these people try to manage the disorder's triggers, including certain foods and stress, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

It's believed that what you eat has the biggest effect on IBS symptoms, so limiting or avoiding certain foods like alcohol, caffeine, chocolate and fatty foods is suggested. Then there are the FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols) short-chain carbohydrates that may not be digested well and often trigger IBS symptoms.

Adopting a low-FODMAP diet is highly recommended. But if you're completely eliminating certain foods and not under the guidance of a medical professional, unwanted weight loss may occur because you may be cutting too many calories unknowingly.

There's also a psychological and emotional side to IBS that can affect a person's weight. Some people with the condition may begin to fear food, which, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, fuels social discomfort, anxiety, caution and hypersensitivity. All of this stress can aggravate IBS symptoms and could lead to weight loss if the person becomes terrified to eat.

"Often, people with IBS will avoid eating certain foods if they fear they may cause pain and discomfort. Those trigger foods vary with each individual," says Jim White, RDN, registered dietitian and owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios. "Stress, rather than a particular food, can also trigger pain. If a patient is under stress, they may choose not to eat as a pain-avoidance mechanism."

To help manage their weight and make sure they're getting the right nutrition, most experts recommend people with IBS follow a low-FODMAP diet with the help of an expert, per Harvard Health Publishing.

The low-FODMAP diet has two phases:

"I find with my IBS patients that working on small and frequent meals of tolerable foods can help to keep weight on," says Isabel Smith, RD, CDN, a New York City-based registered dietitian. "Small portions of higher-calorie foods like nut butter, avocado, coconut oil and olive oil (all as tolerated and mixed in) can help boost calories. Smoothies work well, too, to help meet calorie needs."

Yoga can help reduce stress, which may help keep IBS symptoms in check.

Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages

Finding ways to deal with stress and anxiety may also help people with IBS manage their weight. Counseling, yoga, meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy are all great ways to help people learn to cope with these feelings.

Your doctor may also recommend over-the-counter remedies (like fiber, laxatives, probiotics or loperamide) to help ease symptoms so you can eat normal meals without fear, or you may even be prescribed an antidepressant to reduce stress, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

On the flip side, many people with IBS have trouble losing weight because they may stick with "safe" foods that aren't all that healthy. Indeed, a study published December 2012 in the Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases found that IBS patients often ate unhealthy canned food, processed meats and sweets alongside only some grains, fruits and vegetables.

Unfortunately, many healthy foods that are high in FODMAPs like wheat products, legumes, cruciferous veggies, mushrooms, yogurt and certain fruits can trigger IBS symptoms, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In other words, someone will feel "normal" with no IBS symptoms eating a plate full of white potatoes instead of a lower-calorie, more nutrient-dense helping of broccoli.

People who suffer from IBS may also avoid exercise, White says, because they don't want to be embarrassed by their symptoms while at the gym or outside where facilities are not available.

Whether you're trying to lose weight or just tame IBS symptoms, it's key to identify healthy foods that agree with your body.

Image Credit: YelenaYemchuk/iStock/GettyImages

1. Find Healthy Foods That Work for You

Of course, cutting calories while eating healthy is first and foremost when it comes to shedding pounds, per the Mayo Clinic. You can do this again by following a low-FODMAP diet and finding out which healthy foods are tolerable, and then replacing your not-so-healthy "safe" foods with them.

Wondering how to calculate your calories for weight loss? Download the MyPlate app to do the job and help you track your intake, so you can stay focused and achieve your goals!

Next up: Find a physical activity that's enjoyable and stress-free.

Sure, getting in regular workouts can add to the number of calories you burn each day, but there's another incentive here, too: Exercise has been shown to ease some symptoms of IBS, like constipation, and it can also help with reducing anxiety.

"Focusing on symptom-resolve before weight loss can help promote success from a weight-loss perspective," Smith says.

3. Consider Working With an Expert

For some people, the challenge of losing weight may be an added stressor that ends up making IBS symptoms worse, undermining their efforts.

"One of the hallmarks of IBS is anxiety, and I find focusing on the number on the scale can really exacerbate that anxiety and the condition, too," Smith says. "I always recommend working with an expert it will make losing weight easier and more effective."

If you're looking for some guidance, try tapping a gastroenterologist or a registered dietitian who specializes in digestive conditions like IBS.

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Yes, IBS and Weight Loss Are Connected Here's What You Should Know - LIVESTRONG.COM