The Lakeland Comprehensive Weight Loss Center is offering a free seminar, “Lose Weight…Gain Health.” The seminar will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 7 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, 1234 Napier Ave., St. Joseph.

Residents of the Niles-Buchanan area can choose to attend a session at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 14 at Lakeland Comprehensive Weight Loss Center, 6 Longmeadow Village Drive, Suite 2, Niles.

Dr. Michael Schuhknecht, one of Michigan’s most experienced bariatric surgeons, and staff members of the Lakeland Comprehensive Weight Loss Center 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 127 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 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 either the St. Joseph or Niles seminar, call (269) 687-4673 or (877) 467-3858 or visit www.lakelandhealth.org/weightloss.