Obesity and Metabolism Specialist in Guatemala
Obesity is not a lack of willpower. It is a disease.
Decades of failed advice are not your fault — they are a sign that the approach was wrong. Weight has biology behind it, and that biology can be evaluated and treated.
When should you see an endocrinologist for obesity?
You have tried to lose weight repeatedly without lasting success
You have obesity with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, or fatty liver
Your BMI is above 30 and you want a real medical plan
You have insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome
You have high cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, or impaired glucose
You want to start supervised pharmacological treatment for weight management
⚡ Consultations Monday through Saturday | By appointment only
1 in 3
adults in Guatemala has obesity or overweight
5
components define metabolic syndrome — and they are rarely all evaluated
SCOPE
international certification in clinical obesity management — Dr. Penados, 2025
80%
of patients with obesity have at least one metabolic comorbidity
Diets fail 95% of the time. Not because you fail, but because they do not treat the disease.
Obesity is a chronic, complex, and multifactorial disease caused by excessive accumulation of body fat that impairs health. It has genetic, hormonal, metabolic, and environmental roots — it is not simply a matter of eating too much.
Metabolic syndrome is the cluster of conditions — elevated blood pressure, impaired glucose, low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, and increased waist circumference — that frequently accompany obesity and multiply cardiovascular and diabetes risk. Treating obesity without evaluating metabolic syndrome means treating only half the problem.
“The number on the scale does not tell the whole story. Body composition, insulin resistance, and the metabolic profile do.”—Dra. Ma. Eugenia Penados
Signs that the metabolism is at risk.
Metabolic syndrome and obesity have manifestations that go far beyond weight. Many are silent until they lead to a major complication.
Increased waist circumference
Visceral fat — the most metabolically active and dangerous kind. Men > 90 cm, women > 80 cm according to Latin American criteria.
Elevated triglycerides
Frequently associated with insulin resistance, fatty liver, and increased cardiovascular risk.
Low HDL
Reduced protective cholesterol — an independent cardiovascular risk marker regardless of total cholesterol.
Impaired fasting glucose
Prediabetes or insulin resistance — detectable before diabetes develops.
Elevated blood pressure
Obesity-related hypertension — often improvable with weight loss.
Acanthosis nigricans
Darkening of skin folds on the neck, armpits, and groin — a visible sign of insulin resistance.
Fatigue and drowsiness
Altered metabolism reduces cellular energy efficiency. Common in insulin resistance.
Fatty liver
Fat accumulation in the liver — silent, but associated with risk of cirrhosis and diabetes.
Sleep apnea
More common with obesity — and in turn worsens metabolism through sleep deprivation.
Do you identify with any of these symptoms?
A one-hour initial consultation is all it takes to begin your evaluation and, when needed, reach a clear diagnosis
Obesity: not all weight is the same
Classifying obesity by BMI is useful but incomplete. Body composition — how much is fat and where it is located — matters more than total weight. Two people with the same BMI can have very different metabolic risks.
Overweight
The ideal time to intervene before comorbidities develop. Early action has a greater impact than late treatment.
Grade I Obesity
Increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk. Frequently associated with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and prediabetes.
Grade II Obesity
High risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, and joint problems. Requires active medical treatment.
Grade III Obesity
Very high risk of serious complications. Complete evaluation to determine the most appropriate therapeutic strategy.
BMI has important limitations: it does not distinguish muscle from fat, does not account for fat distribution, and does not reflect metabolic health. That is why bioimpedance assessment (Tanita) and metabolic markers complete the diagnosis. The concept of 'metabolically healthy obesity' exists — but long-term risk persists. Follow-up is necessary regardless of the initial metabolic profile.
How obesity is evaluated during your consultation
A complete obesity evaluation goes far beyond weight and BMI. It requires understanding the actual body composition, the metabolic profile, and the factors perpetuating excess weight. At Dr. Penados' consultation, all of this is integrated into a single hour.
Weight history
Weight evolution since childhood, previous attempts, triggering factors, weight-affecting medications, family history.
Body composition assessment
Tanita bioimpedance scale: body fat percentage, muscle mass, visceral fat, body water. More informative than weight or BMI alone.
Anthropometry
Waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio. Fat distribution matters as much as total amount.
Metabolic lab work
Complete individualized metabolic panel based on the patient's profile. Includes active search for hormonal causes of obesity when symptoms suggest it.
Comorbidity evaluation
Blood pressure, kidney function, signs of sleep apnea, fatty liver, joints. Obesity rarely comes alone.
Metabolic syndrome diagnosis
Assessment of all 5 criteria: waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL, glucose, and blood pressure. Present when 3 or more are met.
Why see Dr. Penados for obesity?
SCOPE-certified in obesity management
The international SCOPE certification accredits specific training in the clinical management of obesity. This is not a diet — it is a structured, evidence-based medical approach to a chronic disease.
Real body composition, not just weight
The Tanita scale measures what portion of weight is fat, muscle, visceral fat, and water. Two patients with the same weight can have completely different risk profiles — and need different strategies.
Internist and endocrinologist: a complete view
Obesity affects the heart, liver, kidneys, joints, and metabolism. Dr. Penados manages all of these dimensions simultaneously — not just weight.
No fad diets — real evidence
In a market saturated with miracle protocols, Dr. Penados works with interventions that have scientific backing: up-to-date pharmacotherapy, lifestyle changes with real metabolic impact, and ongoing follow-up.
SCOPE-certified in obesity management
The international SCOPE certification accredits specific training in the clinical management of obesity. This is not a diet — it is a structured, evidence-based medical approach to a chronic disease.
Real body composition, not just weight
The Tanita scale measures what portion of weight is fat, muscle, visceral fat, and water. Two patients with the same weight can have completely different risk profiles — and need different strategies.
Internist and endocrinologist: a complete view
Obesity affects the heart, liver, kidneys, joints, and metabolism. Dr. Penados manages all of these dimensions simultaneously — not just weight.
No fad diets — real evidence
In a market saturated with miracle protocols, Dr. Penados works with interventions that have scientific backing: up-to-date pharmacotherapy, lifestyle changes with real metabolic impact, and ongoing follow-up.
Ready to receive specialized endocrinological care?
Experience the difference of comprehensive, personalized, evidence-based treatment
Specialized Endocrinology in Guatemala
Clínica de Endocrinología, Metabolismo y Medicina Interna, Dra. Ma. Eugenia Penados Ovalle
6a avenida 4-01 zona 10, Edificio Medika 10, Nivel 3 (N3) Clínica 307Modern practice in the heart of Guatemala City
Office Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Emergency Care
Dr. Penados does not treat emergencies. For medical urgencies, please go to the emergency department of a hospital.
Coverage Areas
Guatemala City
- • Zone 10, 14, 15
- • Zone 9, 13, 16
- • Highway to El Salvador
Metropolitan Area
- • Mixco
- • Villa Nueva
- • Santa Catarina Pinula
- • San Cristóbal
Nationwide Coverage
- • All departments of Guatemala
- • Patients traveling from across the country
- • Periodic visits to Petén (approx. every 6 weeks)
Common questions, clear answers
Still have questions? Let's talk directly on WhatsApp for personalized answers.