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Program targets weight loss, healthy lifestyle by Chris West Public Relations The FOCUS program in the Institute of Psychiatry's Weight Management Center is teaching its patients to do just that—set goals toward weight loss and focus on them. Dr. Martin Binks “FOCUS is designed to bring weight loss and lifestyle change to patients in a modernized and efficient way, but it is tailored to the individual needs of each patient,” said Martin Binks, Ph.D., of the Weight Management Center. “It addresses the most important and salient aspects of managing one’s weight.” The program is a 15-week, supplement-based individual lifestyle change program that is designed to induce significant and rapid weight loss, while emphasizing lasting and healthy lifestyle practices for each individual patient. Based on the most recent research, needs assessment and patient feedback, FOCUS addresses weight loss through highly structured dietary intervention while promoting an active lifestyle through both an exercise regimen and active leisure time. During the first eight weeks of treatment approximately two-thirds of the patient’s caloric intake is from balanced nutrition supplements such as bars and shakes. Some normal foods are allowed during the initial weeks such as chicken, fish and other lean proteins and vegetables. During this period additional foods including some fruits are added. At week nine, the diet shifts to an all food meal plan, but the guidelines remain clear and structured. “The diet starts very structured,” Binks said. “And over time, the patient’s dietary reins are let out, allowing patients to establish control and reduce the patient's slipping.” And while the program boasts a stringent meal plan, FOCUS places equal emphasis on leisure activity levels and exercise in its patients' treatment.  “Of course the dietary aspects of the program are important,” Binks said. “But a long-term, high activity level lends to better weight management and complements a healthy diet. You need both for solid weight loss.” At the initial exercise consultation for the program, past and current activity and fitness levels are assessed. Then a prescriptive exercise plan is devised within the patient’s capabilities. As the program progresses, the intensity level and variety of the plan is increased, again, within the patient’s capacity. “Exercise gets slighted more than you would think,” he said. “So we really stress and emphasize a wide range of activities within FOCUS. We try to center that emphasis on what patients already enjoy doing and attempt to implement it into the exercise program.” As reinforcement for the program’s emphasis on exercise and activity, patients have access to a series of educational and participatory workshops covering a wide variety of topics. “The workshops are a work in progress,” he said. “But we want them to be participatory and give patients a chance to receive hands-on exposure to healthy lifestyle practices. We address a certain health and exercise-related topic such as yoga, stress management or strength enhancement and then demonstrate how it relates to weight management. It’s an opportunity for patients to try new activities ask questions and to be an interactive part of the program.”  So who stands to benefit from this intense and rapid style program? “FOCUS has no preset weight criteria to exclude anyone,” Binks said. “There are patients who are currently enrolled in the program with lots of weight to lose and there are an equal number of patients who simply want to shed a few pounds. With this program a wide range of weight loss is attainable.” Since its inception in January, FOCUS has seen its patient base grow considerably. Beginning as a humble two-hour clinic on Mondays, the program saw the need to add an hour to each end of the clinic, lengthening it to four hours and eventually adding another day of sessions out of sheer need to accommodate its patient influx. Presently FOCUS has enrolled more than 100 patients, many of whom have graduated. Thanks to its multidisciplinary team of dietitians, exercise physiologists, psychologists and medical administrative staff, FOCUS can accommodate a large number of patients without sacrificing quality and individualized patient care . “We began this program with very conservative goals only to see all of our expectations exceeded,” Binks said. “We have received very positive feedback and satisfaction from patients. We are experiencing low dropout rates and the number of word of mouth referrals is very pleasing. From the response we’ve had, the program is really here to stay.” For more information regarding FOCUS or the Weight Management Center call 792-2273 or e-mail at wmc@musc.edu.   Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. 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