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Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight-Loss Program
Choosing a weight-loss
program may be a difficult task. You may not know what to look for in a
weight-loss program or what questions to ask. This fact sheet can help you talk
to your health care professional about weight loss and get the best information
before choosing a program.
Talk
With Your Health Care Professional
If
your health care provider tells you that you should lose weight and you want to
find a weight-loss program to help you, look for one that is based on regular
physical activity and an eating plan that is balanced, healthy, and easy to
follow.
You may
want to talk with your doctor or other health care professional about
controlling your weight before you decide on a weight-loss program. Even if you
feel uncomfortable talking about your weight with your doctor, remember that he
or she is there to help you improve your health.
Here are some tips:
- Tell your
provider that you would like to talk about your weight. Share your concerns
about any medical conditions you have or medicines you are taking.
- Write down your
questions in advance.
- Bring pen and
paper to take notes.
- Bring a friend
or family member along for support if this will make you feel more comfortable.
- Make sure you
understand what your health care provider is saying. Ask questions if there is
something you do not understand.
- Ask for other
sources of information like brochures or websites.
- If you want
more support, ask for a referral to a registered dietitian, a support group, or
a commercial weight-loss program.
- Call your
provider after your visit if you have more questions or need help.
Ask
Questions
Find out
as much as you can about your health needs before joining a weight-loss program.
Here are some questions you might want to ask your health care provider:
About
Your Weight
- Do I need to
lose weight? Or should I just avoid gaining more?
- Is my weight
affecting my health?
- Could my excess
weight be caused by a medical condition such as hypothyroidism or by a medicine
I am taking? (Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid gland does not produce enough
thyroid hormone, a condition that can slow your metabolism - how your body creates
and uses energy.)
About
Weight Loss
- What should my
weight-loss goal be?
- How will losing
weight help me?
About
Nutrition and Physical Activity
- How should I
change my eating habits?
- What kinds of
physical activity can I do?
- How much
physical activity do I need?
About
Treatment
- Should I take
weight-loss medicine?
- What about
weight-loss surgery?
- Could a
weight-loss program help me?
A Responsible and Safe Weight-loss Program
If your
health care provider tells you that you should lose weight and you want to find
a weight-loss program to help you, look for one that is based on regular
physical activity and an eating plan that is balanced, healthy, and easy to
follow. Weight-loss programs should encourage healthy behaviors that help you
lose weight and that you can stick with every day. Safe and effective
weight-loss programs should include:
- Healthy eating
plans that reduce calories but do not forbid specific foods or food groups.
- Tips to
increase moderate-intensity physical activity.
- Tips on healthy
behavior changes that also keep your cultural needs in mind.
- Slow and steady
weight loss. Depending on your starting weight, experts recommend losing weight
at a rate of 1/2 to 2 lbs per week. Weight loss may be faster at the start of a
program.
- Medical care if
you are planning to lose weight by following a special formula diet, such as a
very low-calorie diet.
- A plan to keep
the weight off after you have lost it.
Get
Familiar with the Program
Gather
as much information as you can before deciding to join a program. Professionals
working for weight-loss programs should be able to answer the questions listed
below.
- What
does the weight-loss program consist of?
- Does the
program offer one-on-one counseling or group classes?
- Do you have to
follow a specific meal plan or keep food records?
- Do you have to
purchase special food, drugs, or supplements?
- Does the
program help you be more physically active, follow a specific physical activity
plan, or provide exercise instruction?
- Does the
program teach you to make positive and healthy behavior changes?
- Is the program
sensitive to your lifestyle and cultural needs?
- What
are the staff qualifications?
- Who supervises
the program?
- What type of
weight management training, experience, education, and certifications do the
staff have?
- Does
the product or program carry any risks?
- Could the
program hurt you?
- Could the
recommended drugs or supplements harm your health?
- Do participants
talk with a doctor?
- Does a doctor
run the program?
- Will the
program's doctors work with your personal doctor if you have a medical condition
such as high blood presure or are taking prescribed drugs?
- How
much does the program cost?
- What is the
total cost of the program?
- Are there other
costs, such as weekly attendance fees, food and supplement purchases, etc.?
- Are there fees
for a follow-up program after you lose weight?
- Are there other
fees for medical tests?
- What
results do participants typically have?
- How much weight
does an average participant lose and how long does he or she keep the weight
off?
- Does the
program offer publications or materials that describe what results participants
typically have?
If you
are interested in finding a weight-loss program near you, ask your health care
provider for a referral or contact your local hospital.
Source: NIH
Publication No. 03-3700 May 2003 - Revised February 2006
Our service was built by healthcare professionals. If you are not currently using one, ask us for a referal.
Adapted by Editorial Staff, December 2007
Last update, August 2008
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