What tops the list of the majority of our patients’ New Year’s Resolutions? WEIGHT LOSS. Perhaps the most frustrating thing is that it tops our list, too. And not just this year, but possibly the last several years- or even decades. We know how losing weight can reduce hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea and joint pain, not to mention helping improve energy levels and self-esteem. What can we realistically do that will make a difference for our patients (and our own) weight in 2012? In the spirit of the “5-Minute Consult”, here are 5 interventions that take LESS than 5 minutes, and can really make a difference.
- Call ‘em like you see ‘em: don’t ignore your patient’s weight. Include BMI as part of your vital signs, and TELL your patient if they are overweight or obese. Just as simply telling our patients to quit smoking increases tobacco cessation rates, telling our patients that they need to lose weight can be powerful motivation.
- Reality check: perform a 24 hour dietary recall: ask your patient to briefly tell you everything they put in their mouth during the last 24 hours, and write it down in their chart. Look for skipped meals, fast food, fruit & vegetable servings, and liquid calories- then ask your patient where they think they could commit to make a change.
- Focus on MORE, not LESS: rather than prescribing specific calorie intakes, encourage your patient to commit to eating a minimum of 5-10 servings of vegetables or fruits each day. (Note- a serving is what you can hold in your cupped hand, so a large salad might be 4 or 5 servings.)
- Refer your patients to a Registered Dietitian: yes, it costs money to see a dietitian, but they are the true weight loss experts, and it’s worth it. If our patients can afford smart phones, MP3s, hair highlights and daily Starbucks, they can prioritize paying a dietitian for one of the most important health interventions in their lives.
- KEEP IT OFF so your 2013 Resolutions don’t start with weight loss! Check out the National Weight Control Registry to recognize the consistent behaviors of over 10,000 people who have maintained at least a 30 pound weight loss for greater than one year. Here’s a hint: don’t skip breakfast, weigh yourself weekly, limit TV to less than 10 hours per week, and exercise every day!
Welcome to 2012! Let’s step up to the plate this year and start with a good, hard look in the mirror. Do we look like the model of health we’d like our patients to attain? If so, terrific- keep it up! If not, make 2012 the year to prioritize our own health, so we can lead by example.
-Jill A. Grimes, MD
Filed under: In The News Tagged: | counseling, Diabetes, hypertension, new year, new year's resolutions, Obesity, resolutions, sleep apnea, weight loss
