Bariatric medicine deals with the causes, prevention and treatment of obesity. A bariatric medicine physician, or bariatrician, may treat patients with diet and nutrition, exercise, behavior modification or medication. The bariatrician may also coordinate patient care with a bariatric surgeon, who may perform surgery. Bariatric or gastric bypass surgery, also known as roux-en-Y gastric bypass, creates a small pouch of the stomach that bypasses part of the intestine. When the size of the stomach is reduced by surgery, it allows less food to be ingested, resulting in weight loss.

Obesity is damaging to one’s health: some of the negative effects of obesity are heart disease, diabetes, some forms of cancer, hypertension, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, arthritis; and obesity has been known to shorten one’s lifespan.

West Virginia is a mountainous state, located entirely within the Appalachian Mountain Range. It was admitted into statehood in 1863, and its population is 1,816,856. West Virginia’s capital is Charleston, located in the southwest part of the state. When in Charleston, see the West Virginia Cultural Center, the Charleston Town Center Mall with its three-story indoor waterfall and atrium, play at the Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center, or tour a nearby coal mine. Many outdoor activities such as skiing, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, fishing and hunting are available to West Virginia visitors. Hike or bike a scenic trail, visit the cultural center or a museum, take a scenic train ride, or explore a cavern.

According to 2005 Census estimates, West Virginia has a population of 1,816,856. Of this population, 375,871 are under the age of 18 and 276,973 are at or above the age of 65.