Ideal Protein Releases Video for Healthcare Providers, “Have the Conversation: Talking to Patients about Weight Loss”

In light of new prediabetes statistics, provider of medically
designed weight management protocol urges healthcare practitioners to
talk to patients about weight

SARASOTA, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#DoctorsFightingObesity—Ideal
Protein, provider of a medically designed and developed protocol for
weight management, announced the availability of their educational
video, “Have
the Weight Loss Conversation: Talking to Patients about Weight Loss”
today. The release of the eight-minute video comes on the heels of a
shocking prediabetes update from the Centers
of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Eighty-six million American
adults have the condition – and nine out of 10 people don’t know that
they have it.

American
Diabetes Association Alert Day, March 28, 2017, is a day to raise
awareness about the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in American adults,
and encourage people to learn about their risk for the disease.
According to the CDC, excess
weight is one of the major risk factors for prediabetes, which is
the pre-cursor for full scale diabetes.

“In light of the alarming prediabetes update from the CDC, talking about
weight with patients has taken on a new urgency,” says Tim Callahan,
President of Ideal Protein. “Education around weight and health is
critical. Doctors might avoid talking about weight because it’s a
sensitive subject, and the antiquated advice of ‘eat less, exercise
more’ does not typically promote sustainable results. It takes complete
lifestyle transformation, involving education, physician oversight and
one-on-one coaching to achieve sustainable health. Having the
conversation is the first step, and it is our hope that this video helps
open up important dialogue.”

According to the CDC, over 70
percent of Americans are overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity
can be a pre-cursor for many serious health conditions, including
diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, many cancers,
degenerative joint disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH).

Even when physicians discuss weight with their patients, few seem to be
hearing the message. According to a Nielsen Strategic Health
Perspectives survey
sponsored by the Council
of Accountable Physician Practices released in June 2016, while 90
percent of physicians say they counsel patients on adopting better
eating habits, only 19 percent of patients report that they received
this advice. Also, the survey revealed that while 52 percent of
physicians report they recommend weight loss programs, only five percent
of patients report hearing this.

Ideal Protein’s video offers comprehensive guidance on having the weight
loss conversation, and features role plays of realistic patient/doctor
scenarios. The video recommends a non-judgmental, helpful approach in
talking to patients who would benefit from weight loss, following these
specific steps with their patients to enable successful discussion:

• Screen Body Mass Index (BMI): All patients’ BMI should be
  measured on an ongoing basis, to identify those who need weight loss
  counseling.
• Use neutral, non-judgmental terminology. To keep weight
  management discussions positive, terminology that may be offensive or
  implies blame should be avoided.
• Set a collaborative tone. Patients should be asked about their
  comfort level in talking about health and weight, including their
  weight history and how excess weight affects them.
• Determine the patient’s willingness to address weight. A
  partnership can be established by setting small, achievable weight
  loss goals with patients. Patients should be encouraged knowing that a
  weight loss of as little as 10 percent can reduce their risk for
  weight related health conditions.
• Handling reluctance. Patients who express little to no interest
  in addressing their weight could be asked, “What would it take for you
  to be more ready?”
• Positive reinforcement. Patients should be praised for any
  progress, and should feel assured that their physician is beside them
  through the weight loss journey, even if they regain weight. Managing
  a chronic disease is a long term endeavor and is not easy.

The full
length version of “Have the Conversation: Talking to your Patients
about Weight” can be viewed at Ideal Protein’s corporate YouTube
Channel. To join the ranks of healthcare providers fighting obesity,
tweet @DrsFightObesity
or use #DoctorsFightingObesity to keep the conversation going.

To see how physicians and other healthcare practitioners are helping
their patients lose weight, click here.

About Ideal Protein

The Ideal Protein Protocol is medically designed and developed and is
consistent with evidence-based guidelines for long-term weight loss
management. The approach is a proven, four phase protocol that features
two key components: a 12 month stabilization period and healthy
lifestyle education to help maintain long lasting results. It
incorporates ongoing one-on-one coaching, customized lifestyle guidance
tools, access to educational, inspirational and interactive resources,
and a plan that is outcomes-focused to maintain healthy, long-term
results. The protocol tackles the root cause of Metabolic Syndrome – the
body’s overproduction of insulin – by restricting consumption of sugars
and carbohydrates, achieving optimal results through lowering poor fat
intake, while maintaining adequate protein intake to preserve muscle
mass. Our protocol is available through Licensed Healthcare Providers,
Trained clinics and coaches. For more information, visit http://www.idealprotein.com/ca/healthcare-partnerships.

Contacts

Scott Public Relations
Joy Scott, (818) 610?0270
Joy@scottpublicrelations.com