Overview
The Weight Management Center of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) at University Hospital aims to address the epidemic of obesity in Northern New Jersey (NJ) and Essex County. The prevalence of obesity in the country, and across New Jersey has continually risen over the past three decades.
Most people with obesity think their weight is something they can manage on their own. They believe if they eat less and move more, they will achieve results. However, research shows it is not that simple. A person’s weight is related to many factors, including some that are out of a person’s control, like genetics, their environment, lifestyle, or other medical conditions. We recognize that obesity is a complex disease and we want to be your partners to reach your weight goals for living a healthier life.
The Weight Management Center of Rutgers NJMS at University Hospital provides a comprehensive approach to treat obesity and its complications. The Center brings together a multidisciplinary team of board-certified obesity medicine physician specialists, endocrinologists, bariatric surgeons, advanced bariatric endoscopists, behavioral health specialists, nutritionists, and patient navigators. Our team works collaboratively to help patients achieve meaningful weight loss and improve their overall health throughout their lifetime.
Patients also have access to specialty services such as cardiology, pulmonology, psychiatry, hepatology, and gastroenterology. The distinguishing feature of our center, compared to stand-alone bariatric programs, is our coordinated patient-centered approach that offers either a medically supervised weight loss program, surgical management, or a combination of both.
Clinic Hours
- Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Saturday Closed
- Sunday Closed
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The Obesity Epidemic
The Obesity Epidemic
The data is startling. The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity among adults in New Jersey reached 27.7% in 2017, increasing from 23.8% in 2011. Meanwhile in Essex County, the percentage of the adult population with obesity is 29%. In the City of Newark, the obesity rate reaches 37.7%. More importantly, the prevalence of obesity is much higher in minority communities and there are significant differences by race, ethnicity, and geography. In 2017 in NJ, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity was 37.6% for the Black community, 33.2% in the Hispanic community, compared to 27% for Caucasians.
The Obesity Epidemic
The Risks of Obesity
Obesity is a chronic and relapsing disease which impacts every organ system. People with obesity are at higher risk for:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Dyslipidemia (high lipid levels in the blood)
- Diabetes
- Coronary heart disease (heart attack)
- Stroke
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Osteoarthritis
- Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)
- Cancer – 13 different types, including breast, colon and endometrial
- The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of directly treating the disease of obesity, as obesity is shown to be the leading risk factor for developing severe complications from a COVID-19 infection
University Hospital and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS)
University Hospital and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS)
University Hospital and Rutgers NJMS currently provide comprehensive care to the residents of Newark and Essex County, a majority minority community that has been disproportionately affected by the obesity epidemic.
The Weight Management Center is part of Rutgers Health at the University Hospital Ambulatory Care Center. With healthcare teams led by Rutgers Health physicians, the University Hospital Ambulatory Care Center offers the highest quality care in a private office setting and offers a wide range of outpatient services that utilize state-of-the-art medical technology so patients can access the help they need when they need it.
The services of the Weight Management Center take a holistic approach to helping our patients make true and lasting strides toward sustainable weight loss, either through medical or surgical interventions, or even both. We bring together disciplines across our healthcare service offerings to support our patient’s weight loss journey before, during and following their work in conjunction with the Weight Management Center.
