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Healthy Living for a Thousand, Alexby Ross Tomlin A: Look AHEAD Q: How do BCM dietitians tackle one of America's biggest health problems—and get results? An equation so sensible, it's practically universal: proper diet plus exercise equals a healthier, longer life. Right? "You would think it's common sense—that if you lose weight, you live longer. That's actually very controversial," said Dr. John Foreyt, a BCM professor of medicine and principal investigator of a national, 12-year study called Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) to settle any lingering debate over whether weight loss reduces the risk of death from cardiovascular disease in cases of type 2 diabetes. Not up for discussion is the toll that the national obesity epidemic takes on public health. With health complications ranging from heart disease to certain kinds of cancers, obesity is responsible for roughly 300,000 deaths a year in the U.S., making it the second-most preventable cause of death after cigarette smoking. With sights set on lowering those statistics, Look AHEAD study sites like the one at BCM have organized group classes for at-risk obese and diabetic patients ages 55 to 70. Diet and exercise tips are shared each session, and for many of them, Foreyt said, "This is the first time they have ever broken a sweat." With medical supervision and trained Ph.D.'s constantly monitoring and educating study participants, the BCM site isn't your average weight loss clinic. Moreover, BCM dietitians use positive reinforcement versus scare tactics to get their message across. Presentations vary from cooking demonstrations to lighthearted discussions, with a Jeopardy-style nutrition game among the most popular (and fiercely competitive) themes. (A: "The length of time food can sit at room temperature before spoiling." Q: "What is two hours?") "The more often they stay in contact with us, the easier it is for them to sustain their weight loss," said Molly Gee, a BCM registered dietitian, who has observed a sort of health safety in numbers. "They maintain their focus on improving their lifestyle, and they get a lot of support, not just from the Look AHEAD staff but from each other." As Look AHEAD crosses its midpoint this year, BCM investigators are convinced that the road to reversing the rate of obesity is through a concerted effort on the part of doctors and patients, teachers and students, parents and children, and lawmakers and the food industry. "Everyone has to do their part," said Dr. Rebecca Reeves, registered dietitian and assistant professor of medicine at BCM. "Everyone is a stakeholder." While Look AHEAD patients strive to take the pounds off, their reduction in risk of heart disease will be measured against those in a different arm of the study who are not enrolled in the classes. With the average weight loss of class attendees so far exceeding the study's goal, the BCM Look AHEAD staff predicts that by the study's conclusion, proof of the long-term benefits of a healthy weight will be in the (low-calorie) pudding. |
Patient CareHealthy Living for a Thousand, Alex ResearchFighting Obesity one Molecule at a Time Doctors are from Jupiter, Patients are from Saturn EducationA Lot's Changed in 40 Years... Sort Of Community ServiceAlumni & DevelopmentBuilding BCM and Biochemistry History Following Father's Bedside Manner More than a Street Sign: Advocates for Medicine College NewsAn Artist in the Medical Arena
Educating the Next Generation of Leaders
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Volume 2, Issue 3, Fall 2006 |
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| Last modified: December 21, 2006 |