Yvette Freeman ("E.R's" nurse Haleh Adams) Reveals Her Struggle with Obesity

by Alex A. Kecskes

Yvette Freeman, best known as "E.R's" straight-talking nurse, Haleh Adams, recently shared her battle with obesity with fans.

Freeman's dramatic 125-pound weight loss made her a spokeswoman for exercise and healthy eating, even after ER aired its final episode. The accomplished actress now speaks at a variety of venues on the strategies for managing diabetes and heart disease.

Freeman appeared in 185 episodes of the top rated medical drama series, from the pilot to the series finale. While her weight was never an issue for the show's producers, it had become a serious health risk. She noted that she had become pre-diabetic, her blood pressure was way up, and she found it difficult to walk any reasonable distance. In her words, "I was going downhill fast."

The death of a friend convinced her to enroll in a UCLA obesity program. Her weight loss was so dramatic that "E.R." had to issue a statement reassuring fans that Freeman was not ill. She has since become a spokesperson for the dangers of obesity, stressing such strategies as finding a support network and avoiding crash diets.

Freeman still struggles with "roller coaster" weight—having regained almost 80 pounds, then losing weight again. Said Freeman, "I'm down now, but it's a fight."

For an added perspective, check out this video:

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