ST. JOSEPH — A discussion of weight loss options is coming to an area medical center.

The Lakeland Comprehensive Weight Loss Center is offering a series of free seminars titled, “Lose Weight…Find Health.” The first seminar will take place on Wednesday, April 4 in the Frederick S. Upton Education Center at Lakeland Medical Center, located at 1234 Napier Ave., St. Joseph. A second seminar will be hosted on Wednesday, April 18 in the Community Conference Room at the Lakeland Medical Suites in Niles, located at 42 North St. Joseph St., Niles. Both seminars will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Bariatric surgeons Jill Gorsuch, DO, and Michael Schuhknecht, DO, will discuss programs available for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight for years to come.

The Lakeland Comprehensive Weight Loss Center specializes in working with each person to create a customized lifestyle plan, including medical weight loss management through diet or bariatric surgery, nutrition counseling, individualized exercise programs and monthly support groups.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 190 million adults in the United States are overweight and obese. Individuals more than 40 percent overweight are twice as likely to die prematurely as someone of average weight.

However, the good news, according to Lakeland officials, is that losing as little as 5 to 15 percent of your initial body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes and other illnesses, and can even eliminate your need for some medications.

For more information or to register for the seminar, visit lakelandweightlosscenter.com/events or call (269) 927-5361.

Lakeland Health is a non-profit, community-owned health system, which includes three hospitals, an outpatient surgery center, a cancer center, rehabilitation centers, long-term care, hospice, home care services, and physician practices. Lakeland was ranked as a 15 Top U.S. Health System by Truven Health Analytics in 2017. The health system has over 4,000 employees who provide clinical and support services at locations throughout southwest Michigan, and partners with more than 450 affiliated physicians and other providers.

For more information, visit lakelandhealth.org.