“Everything is connected, you can’t separate the parts,” says Dr. Michael Watto, a family physician at Speare Primary Care. “Your positive or negative mental outlook can affect sleep, which can impact your diet and how much you exercise — all of which are underlying factors in your overall health, including weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.”

Dr. Watto believes that this is where his relationship with patients is critical as he helps to make a difference in each individual’s health.

“I consider myself a medical advisor/expert,” he says. “It is my job to help people make the right choices. As a primary care provider,I like to develop a relationship with my patients so we can see the big picture and pull it all together for the healthiest future.”

Watto’s Words on Nutrition

The US Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture have experts reporting to them on the most recent body of scientific evidence regarding diet, nutrition, health, and physical activity.

Dietary guidelines have evolved since 1980 and are worth noting. This chart shows what changes have been made over the decades, with Dr. Watto’s take home message about the evolution.

Watto’s Words on Activity Guidelines

To improve or maintain your overall health, or to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, you should exercise according to the chart below.

Dr. Michael Watto is a family physician at Speare Primary Care at Boulder Point in Plymouth. He is accepting new patients ages 13 and older. To make an appointment, call Speare Primary Care at (603) 536-1881.