| Obesity is associated with
serious health problems including diabetes and heart disease. The
range of weight management services available to the consumer includes
doctors, dietitians, commercial weight loss programs and kilojoule-controlled
meals. Consumers should choose their service with care. Many commercial
weight loss programs offer safe weight management and lifestyle suggestions
to their clients. Others may rely on unproven or unhealthy methods
of weight control. Always consult with your doctor before choosing
any weight management service.
Your doctor knows your medical history, and can either advise you
on suitable weight loss strategies or recommend a dietitian. If
you prefer to use a commercial weight loss program, still talk to
your doctor first. Consulting your doctor is especially important
if you take any form of prescription medicine or you have a pre-existing
condition, such as:
- Obesity
- Digestive system disorders such as coeliac
disease
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease, angina or cardiac arrhythmia
- Diabetes
- Eating disorder
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Food allergies
- Thyroid disease
- Depression
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Gall bladder problems such as gallstones
- Gout.
Apart from your doctor, you can consult with industry bodies to
help you make a safe choice, including:
You can contact a dietitian in various ways, including:
- Your doctor may recommend a suitable dietitian.
- Your local council can provide a list of
local dietitians
- Use the Better Health Channel services directory
to find a dietitian.
- The Dietitians Association of Australia
can give you contact information on dietitians working in private
practice.
Characteristics of a reputable weight management service
Generally speaking, a good weight management service will:
- Emphasise improved health, such as lower
blood cholesterol and reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease.
- Focus on the loss of body fat, not just
weight.
- Include regular exercise.
- Advise against a daily energy intake of
less than 5000Kj.
- Recommend a gradual weight loss of around
one kilogram per week.
- Appreciate input from your doctor or health
care professional.
- Advise on how to improve long term eating
and exercise habits.
- Offer details on all fees and costs of
additional items.
- Give clear information on the refund policy.
Don't use
a weight management service that advises you to:
- Cut out one or more of the major food groups.
- Replace food with powders or supplements.
- Use unproven or unsafe equipment such as
saunas, passive exercise machines, diuretics and body wraps.
- Aim for rapid weight loss.
- Focus on quick weight loss but doesn't
include any guidance on how to maintain a healthy weight for the
long term.
- Sign up without being clear about all fees
and costs of additional items.
- Sign up without offering you clear
information about their refund policy.
According to the Weight Management Code
of Practice, a reputable home-delivered meal service should offer:
- A written health warning about the dangers
of rapid weight loss, including the suggestion to consult with
your doctor.
- Detailed written information on the services
offered, including delivery arrangements and the nutritional value
of the meals.
- Clear information on all costs, including
delivery charges.
- The option to cancel after seven days,
including a pro-rata refund.
- The range of weight management services
available to the consumer includes doctors, dietitians, commercial
weight loss programs and kilojoule-controlled meals.
- Always consult with your doctor before
embarking on any weight management service.
- A reputable weight management service encourages
you to lose weight slowly and safely, and offers advice on how
to maintain a healthy weight for the long term.
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