ST. JOSEPH — A program to promote healthy weight loss is coming to an area health care provider.

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 in the Frederick S. Upton Education Center at Lakeland Medical Center, located at 1234 Napier Ave.

A second seminar will be hosted on Wednesday, Sept. 19 in the Community Conference Room at the Lakeland Medical Suites in Niles, located at 42 North St. Joseph Ave. Both seminars will take place from 6:30 to 8 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 is that losing as little as 5-15 percent of a person’s initial body weight can reduce the risk of diabetes and other illnesses, and can even eliminate your need for some medications, Lakeland doctors said.

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

For more information, visit lakelandhealth.org.