Healthy Weight Management at BHS
Kate Falconer, BHS dietitian June 08
Our Healthy Weight Management Program is now accepting referrals for overweight and obese patients with chronic health conditions.
Around seven million Australians are now overweight or obese. A significant increase in weight over the past 10 years is having a great impact on the health of Australians.
Obesity increases the risk for disease including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. Other conditions such as arthritis, back injury, muscular and joint pain as well as breathing difficulties can also be exacerbated by being overweight or obese.
Weight loss is an important health goal for people with chronic health conditions; weight loss of 5-10% body weight can result in significant health benefits (NH & MRC, 2002).
Successful long term weight loss programs share common behavioural strategies, including eating a diet low in fat, frequent self monitoring of body weight and food intake, and high levels of physical activity (Wing & Hill, 2002).
The following strategies form a basis for the program:
- multidisciplinary approach, including a dietitian, psychologist and exercise therapist
- group education and exercise sessions over a six week period, with periodic follow-up over 12 months
We welcome referral of your patients needing therapy for significant weight management to the program.
To refer directly into the program call Kate Falconer on 5320 3713
This article is available online at http://bddgp.org.au/article/2008/06/weight-management
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