Dr. Gary Knighton, D.O.
Family Practitioner | Obesity Medicine
2152 S Vineyard Suite 135 Mesa AZ, 85210Rating
4/5
About
Gary A. Knighton, DO, is a bariatrician who diagnoses and treats patients at Arizona Medical Weight Loss in Mesa, Arizona. He founded Arizona Medical Weight Loss in 1998. Dr. Knighton is recognized Arizona’s #1 Physician for Weight-Loss Management. As a bariatrician, he specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of obesity. Dr. Knighton’s impressive professional journey spans twenty-eight years and has expanse knowledge and unrivaled expertise in bariatric medicine.
Education and Training
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine 1995
Provider Details
Dr. Gary Knighton, D.O.'s Expert Contributions
What problems can being overweight cause a child?
Problems include everything from an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, joint problems and abnormalities with development among other diseases. The greatest problem I see is a dramatic drop in self-esteem and self -confidence. It is a child when we develop our self-esteem and if that suffers, we spend a lifetime trying to get the foundation that we never build as a child. I recommend working with a good bariatrician to help, and you can find one near you at: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ READ MORE
Can you help prevent obesity?
Only with a healthy plan that includes healthy eating. This means a diet consisting of protein and significantly decreasing carbohydrates (sugar, flour, potatoes, etc.). Girls develop 80% of their fat cells by the age of 1, and the other 20% during puberty, so it will take commitment and consistency lifelong. We can't change our genetics, but we can change what we eat. I also suggest following with someone who specializes in helping people lose weight and keep it off. Go online to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and find a bariatric physician near you that you are comfortable with and they will help your daughter on her journey. This is a critical time in her life, both physically and emotionally, and her quality of life will depend on the decisions and successes that you make with her now. READ MORE
Can obesity in a child be reversed?
Yes, but only with healthy eating, proper activity level, and consistent monitoring that will need to be lifelong. We can't change our genetics, but we can change what we put into our body and build the confidence that comes from feeling and being healthy. I recommend establishing with a good bariatric physician in your area, eat healthy food rich in protein, significantly reduce carbohydrate intake and develop a plan to set your child's future up to be healthy and happy. Visit the website: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ to find a bariatric physician near you to help manage a healthy plan for your child. READ MORE
Can you fix obesity in a child?
You can, but you have to treat it like a disease. Children are given too much sugar, too many carbs and too much fast food. If you do not help your child lose the weight and keep it off, there is no doubt in my mind that your child will not live a long life and the life your child will live will be filled with more misery than happiness. Please go to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and find a specialist in your area to help you. I have had the opportunity to treat thousands of children in my career and it has been the highlight knowing that I have helped them open the door to a more healthy and happy life. READ MORE
Is obesity genetic?
The primary predictors of obesity are genetics, age and stress. All of us have a genetic blueprint of survival. Those of us that are prone to increased weight are the ones who would have survived 5,000 years ago. However, in our society, we have too many carbohydrates in our diet which cause many of us to gain weight as carbs are foods for survival during famine and not during normal day to day living. We need to eat meat, healthy fats and plenty of water. If you are interested in having someone help you with your nutrition and put you on a productive path to lose weight, go to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and find a specialist in your area. READ MORE
Are overweight children more likely to have sleep disorders?
Studies have shown that there is more sleep disturbance with children who are overweight, not to mention all of the problems what they will face the remainder of their life if they remain obese. It is important to help your child lose weight, and working with a specialist will help to accomplish your goal. Avoid giving your child sugar, wheat and fast food. Those are recipes for disaster. Go online to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and find a specialist in your area to give your child the quality of life we all want as parents for our children. READ MORE
What is a natural plant-based diet like?
To be honest, I am not a fan of a plant-based diet. The human body does best with animal protein. I have never met someone who is on a plant based diet that is not low on many nutrients such as iron, vitamin B-12, creatine, carnosine, vitamins A, D, E, K; just to name a few. From our teeth to our intestines, we are carnivores. READ MORE
Need to lose weight?
I suggest that you go online to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and find a bariatric physician in your area to help you not just lose the weight, but to keep it off. You have a tremendous amount of life ahead of you. If you don't lose the weight, your life will be a struggle both physically and emotionally. I battle with weight from my genetics and some not so healthy eating in my lifetime. I was once over 300 pounds, and now I am 190 pounds and doing all that I can to help others. READ MORE
Can a psychologist help with obesity?
A psychologist can help with the "mindset" of why we sabotage ourselves with food. However, a psychologist can't help with the physiological reasons that our body stores more than it chooses to burn. That is based more on genetics. To get the best treatment for obesity, go to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and find a specialist in your area that can help all facets of being able to lose the weight and keep it off. READ MORE
Gout uric acid?
My recommendation is to go online to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and find a bariatric physician who understands the metabolism and can help you lose the weight. Fatty liver makes it hard to lose weight, so you need to find ways to improve the metabolism and burn the peripheral fat as well as the visceral fat and the fat in your liver to get your body's engine working the way it needs to, A good bariatric physician will not only help you lose the weight, but will go stride for stride with you to keep it off. READ MORE
Weight loss?
Believe it or not, medications to assist with weight loss are blessings if used correctly. I recommend that you go online to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and find a bariatric physician in your area to assist you with getting your body back to having the ability to burn fat and not just take carbohydrates and store them. In the meantime, avoid sugar, wheat, fast food and processed food. Those are recipes for creating fat and not burning it. Good healthy animal protein and minimizing carbohydrates is a great place to start until you can get the help from a good bariatrician. READ MORE
Difficulty losing weight?
Go online to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and identify a good bariatrician in your area and get help sooner than later to help offset the weight gain and bring the weight back down to a healthy level. READ MORE
Weight loss recommendation?
Gastric sleeve is an option, but, in my opinion, it should be your last option. Too many people give up and do the surgery and then find that their weight comes back on. My recommendation is to go online to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and find a physician who specializes in helping people lose weight with wise nutrition (high protein, low carb) in addition to using medications. If that is not successful, after doing all that you can do, then consider the next step of bariatric surgery. Of all of the patients I have seen that have considered bariatric surgery, less than 5% ever needed to as we have been that successful. READ MORE
Lexapro and weight?
I have found that Tenuate (diethylpropion) has less of a chance to increase anxiety than Adipex and works well with Lexipro. That said, I am making a statement and not making a specific recommendation that you take it without discussing with a knowledgable bariatric physician. Go online to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and find a good bariatric physician who prescribes diethylpropion and after consultation see if that is an option for you. My patients on SSRI's have done very well with it. READ MORE
Why is it hard to lose weight with type 2 diabetes?
It is. Type II Diabetes involves insulin resistance which tells the body to store more fat. I have helped MANY patients with Type II DM lose weight and are able to decrease or even go off of their diabetic medications and control it by keeping their percent body fat down. I suggest going online to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and find a good bariatric physician near you and have them help you bring the weight down and give you a better chance for a better quality of life. READ MORE
When should I start getting concerned about my weight?
It isn't as much the scale that would concern me, but it is the increased fat around the middle indicating that your visceral fat is increasing. Generally, if you take a tape measure and measure the circumference of your abdomen at the level of your belly button, it should be 1/2 your height in inches or less. If it is greater, as a rule, then be concerned. Always follow proper nutrition of protein (animal protein is the most nutritious) and limit carbs. I am a big advocate of avoiding sugar and wheat, as well as staying away from fast food and processed food. You can always go online and find a good bariatric physician at: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and they can work with you as well. READ MORE
How can I prevent my daughter's obesity?
The best way is to set a good example on eating properly and staying active. There is no way we can expect our children to do something that we, as parents, are not willing to do. In addition, find a bariatrician in your area who can help her. Please go to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ to find a qualified physician to help her to overcome obesity and be able to live a long and healthy life. READ MORE
What could be the cause of childhood obesity?
Genetics, poor eating habits (eating too many carbs), eating processed foods and lack of activity/exercise are the primary reasons. If you really want to help her make sure you are living a healthy life and set a good example. Then, find a bariatrician who can help by going to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ READ MORE
Is childhood obesity a serious problem?
It is a very serious problem. Not only will it have a significant adverse effect on her self esteem during her developmental years, it is the beginning of serious consequences to her body (strain on joints, opening the door for heart disease and diabetes). It is very important to take this very seriously, and I recommend finding a qualified bariatrician in your area to help. A good place to start is to go to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ READ MORE
How to overcome obesity in children?
The best way is to set a good example on eating properly. There is no way we can expect our children to do something that we, as parents, are not willing to do. In addition, find a bariatrician in your area who can help her. Please go to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ to find a qualified physician to help her to overcome obesity and be able to live a long and healthy life. READ MORE
Awards
- #1 Weight Loss Specialist 5 Ranking Arizona Publication
- Compassionate Doctor Recognition 2016
- On-Time Doctor Award Year
- Patients’ Choice Award Year
Professional Memberships
- Arizona Osteopathic Association
- American Medical Association
- American Osteopathic Association
- Obesity Medicine Association
Professional Society Memberships
- Arizona Osteopathic Association | American Medical Association | American Osteopathic Association | Obesity Medicine Association
Dr. Gary Knighton, D.O.'s Practice location
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Get to know Bariatrician Dr. Gary Knighton, who serves patients in Mesa, Arizona.
Ranking Arizona’s #1 Physician for Weight-Loss Management, Dr. Knighton’s vast knowledge of bariatric medicine and the ability to see beyond the obstacles and take science into consideration truly make him one-of-a-kind. He is the Founder of Arizona Medical Weight Loss in Mesa, Arizona.
Dr. Knighton has 24 years of training and experience helping people lose weight and feel better about themselves. Dr. Knighton’s number one priority is to be involved in the care of every patient who walks through his door. He and his staff provide an individualized weight loss experience. He wants patients to feel at home in a comfortable, inviting atmosphere, where they feel genuinely cared for. What he and his staff offer is something utterly unique.
Patients come from all over the country to see Dr. Knighton. His personal experience, battling weight and losing weight adds another dimension to his approach helping others lose weight and feel better about themselves. His patients have success without feeling deprived.
A 1995 graduate of the A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Knighton has been practicing bariatric medicine since 1996. His philosophy on helping patients lose weight is to never assume that any two people are the same.
As a bariatrician and a long-standing member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, he believes in using a multi-faceted approach combining a balance of nutrition, activity, proper vitamin supplementation, and medications to help his patients shed extra weight. His Weight Loss Program has helped thousands achieve dramatic results – from late teens to the aged, new moms to men at midlife, former professional athletes to former models, etc.
Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity. A bariatrician is a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) who has received special education and training in bariatric medicine. They may treat overweight and obese patients with diet, nutrition, exercise, behavioral therapy, appropriate medications, or any combination of these treatments.
Recognized as an authority in his field, Dr. Knighton is the recipient of Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2014, 2016), On-Time Doctor Award (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018), and Patients’ Choice Award (2015, 2016, 2018).
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