Types of Weight-Loss Programs

Clinical Weight Loss Programs

This type of program may or may not be commercially owned. Services are provided in a health-care setting, such as a hospital, by licensed health professionals, such as physicians, nurses, dietitians, and/or psychologists. In some clinical programs, a health professional works alone; in others, a group of health professionals works together to provide services to patients. Clinical programs may offer you services such as nutrition education, medical care, behavior change therapy, and physical activity.

Clinical weight loss programs may also use other weight-loss methods, such as very low-calorie diets, prescription weight-loss drugs, and surgery, to treat severely overweight patients. These treatments are described below:

Weight Loss Programs - Clinical - Obesity Treatment Very low-calorie diets (VLCDs) are commercially prepared formulas that provide no more than 800 calories per day and replace all usual food intake. VLCDs help individuals lose weight more quickly than is usually possible with low-calorie diets. Because VLCDs can cause side effects, obesity experts recommend that only people who are obese (see Body Mass Index and Weight Chart) use these weight loss diet programs, and only with proper medical supervision.

Prescription Weight Loss Drugs should be used only if you are likely to have health problems caused by your weight. You should not use drugs to improve your appearance. Prescribed weight-loss drugs, when combined with healthy weight loss diet programs which include regular physical activity, may help some obese adults lose weight.

You may consider gastric surgery to promote weight loss if you are more than 80 pounds overweight. However, weight loss surgery patients are always encouraged to follow specific post-operative weight loss programs which typically include specific eating plans and exercise routines.

If you have medical problems, or if are severely overweight, weight loss programs run by trained health professionals may be best for you. These professionals are more likely to monitor you for possible side effects of weight loss.