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WMC programs promote healthy body, mind by Mary Helen Yarborough Public Relations As the warmth of summer and outdoor activity begins to cool, losing weight and keeping it off becomes more difficult. But for 64 percent of the American population, being overweight or obese is a year-round issue requiring particular diligence during hibernating season.   For 32 years, MUSC’s Weight Management Center (WMC) has helped rescue people from the grip of obesity while extending their lives and improving their lifestyles.   The programs range in intensity. People wanting to lose as little as 20 pounds or as much as 200 pounds would benefit from the services offered through the Institute of Psychiatry (IOP). For many, participating in WMC programs is covered by insurance.   WMC, which began in 1974 as a part-time program, now maintains a full time staff of registered dietitians and part-time physicians, most of whom specialize in behavioral sciences.   Patrick M. O’Neil, Ph.D., WMC director, explained that a lot has been learned through the years about how to properly address weight problems. But overall, while some weight management problems stem from physiological conditions, most conditions can be improved through behavior modification by focusing on an individual’s diet.   “We now take more of a multi-disciplinary approach,” O’Neil said. “We look at the A, B, C and Ds of lifestyle and consider the cognitive pattern in dietary choices and habits.”   While increased, appropriate exercise also figures into enhancing lifestyle and attaining a healthier weight, program coordinators also consider the role that mild to moderate depression may play in a person’s ability to manage weight or alter behavior.   Because obesity can result from a combination of factors, WMC offers plans for people of varying issues, and whether they have a little or a lot to lose, O’Neil said.   “First [for insurance to cover the program], you have to have a physician’s directive to lose weight,” O’Neil said. “These programs are not for cosmetic weight loss. Medical conditions are manifold from your ankles to eyeballs. …Obesity can lead to any number of physical conditions.”   For example, all participants’ blood pressure and body mass index are checked, and coordinators also determine whether diabetes or any diseases exist that may be implicated with obesity. WMC staff also checks the participants’ cholesterol and triglycerides levels and determines if the participants have sleep apnea or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which could lead to esophageal cancer. GERD and sleep apnea are commonly associated with obesity.   Programs also vary in time commitment. For example, the First Step program is a 20-week program that offers weight loss assistance through individual weekly meetings. This is considered the least intensive program and is designed for people of all weight ranges.   The Focus program is a 15-week intensive lifestyle change program designed to induce larger initial weight losses than traditional lifestyle change programs. This program starts with an initial supplement-based nutritional restriction and a highly structured dietary intervention strategy, while promoting the adoption of an active lifestyle.   HealthFast is a 30-week program that is designed for people needing to lose more than 50 pounds. This program combines medical supervised supplemental fasting with instructions in lifestyle change techniques to help maintain weight loss. This program restricts the participants’ daily dietary intake to 800 calories, which is enough to maintain an active daily schedule without complications, O’Neil said.   WMC also has a program for new mothers that was specially designed to help the recently new mother reclaim control of her body, boost energy, promote weight loss and replenish nutrients lost during pregnancy and childbirth.   Prices for programs vary depending on the level and services required, but the initial consultation is free. Fees for participation may also be made through payroll deduction and spread out through the year, O’Neil said.   For information on the programs, contact O’Neil at 792-2273, or e-mail oneilp@musc.edu; or visit http://www.musc.edu/weight.     Friday, Oct. 13, 2006 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. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.