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of millions of people and is a leading preventable cause of death and disability worldwide. It is directly related to health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol, as well as endocrine (related to the body's hormones) conditions including diabetes and arthritis. Your Weight Matters E xcessive weight—particularly to the point of obesity—has far-reaching adverse effects on the health • Lower blood glucose levels. "Excessive weight is the root cause of many health issues people face—Type 2 diabetes [adult onset diabetes], in particular," says Saima Farghani, MD, board-certified endocrinologist and internal medicine physician with MidAtlantic Diabetes & Endocrinology and on staff at CentraState Medical Center. "Diabetes can be better managed through weight loss and maintenance. Patients who lose weight start to see an improvement in their blood glucose levels even before they reach their goal weights." GET MOVING According to the American Diabetes Association, patients with diabetes who incorporate more physical activity into their daily lives and lose weight: • Improve their body's response to insulin In addition to helping patients with diabetes become healthier, weight loss can also reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the first place. A National Institutes of Health study found that exercising for the adult recommendation of 150 minutes per week and losing just five to seven percent of their weight made study participants 58 percent less likely to develop diabetes. "My goal is to help people lose weight and enjoy healthier lives as a direct result," Dr. Farghani says. • Increase glucose absorption by increasing metabolism and muscle mass "Losing just a small amount of body weight can make a significant difference for your health." CentraState's Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center (HAC) offers nutrition counseling and weight-loss programs for adults, children, and families. For more information, call the HAC at (732) 308-0570 or visit www.centrastate.com/healthawareness. HD Meet the Doctor: Saima Farghani, MD Saima Farghani, MD Medical specialties: Endocrinology, Internal Medicine Medical school: Rawalpindi Medical College; Rawalpindi, Pakistan Residency: Jersey Shore Medical Center; Neptune City, NJ Endocrinology fellowship: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital; New Brunswick, NJ Board certifi cations: Internal Medicine and Endocrinology What led you to the medical fi eld? When I was 14, I lost my mother to breast cancer. Over the course of her treatment, I accompanied her to the hospital, and I truly appreciated how compassionate her physicians were. I became fascinated with the human aspect of medicine, and I wanted to be able to extend healing and compassion to other families. What interested you in endocrinology in particular? Obesity is one of the most pressing and urgent medical matters of recent years. As obesity rates have climbed, so have the incidence rates of diabetes and other diseases. As I learned more about the impact of obesity on the health and lives of many people, I decided I would dedicate my professional life to helping patients overcome obesity and effectively manage or prevent conditions such as diabetes. www.centrastate.com Offi ce: Saima Farghani, MD MidAtlantic Diabetes & Endocrinology 555 Iron Bridge Road Suite 18 Freehold, NJ 07728 (732) 409-6233 www.midatlendo.com September/October 2011 13 GOT A MINUTE?