Monday, March 21, 2011
Collaboration the cure to region’s obesity problems
A Backus Hospital health needs assessment of eastern Connecticut has identified obesity as a major health concern in eastern Connecticut. Obesity levels are higher than both the state and national average, and can lead to a wide range of costly — and sometimes deadly — health problems.
This is a health crisis that no one person, or organization, can take on alone. That’s why it is heartening to see a wide range of local organizations collaborating to seek solutions.
These solutions include a Food Policy Council, which across the nation have proved themselves to be one of the best ways to make lasting improvements in a region’s nutrition — and reduce obesity.
The council was formally launched Monday at a press conference held at the Gemma E. Moran Food Center in New London. In addition to Backus and the United Way, partners include Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, Thames Valley Council for Community Action, United Community and Family Services, the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center, and FRESH/New London. Other partners will be added as the group selects projects and seeks grant funding.
Food policy councils are strategic partnerships that seek to make sustainable change in the community’s nutrition. Instead of investing in a program that might last a year or some other limited time frame, they focus on long-range solutions that ran range from food labels in stores to healthy school lunches and community gardens. They seek sufficient funding and provide real tools for lasting change.
While specific solutions have not yet been developed, this week’s announcement of the New London County Food Policy Council — which was begun with a grant from Backus Hospital as a direct result of the hospital’s health survey — is a very promising start to what will prove to be a long term endeavor. You can learn more about the food policy council at www.nlcfpc.org.
What else is being done to tackle the region’s obesity problem? We continue to expand our Backus Weight Loss Center. In addition to bariatric surgery, we now offer the Backus Medical Weight Loss and Wellness Program.
The new program is being piloted with employees first, and will be opened to the public later this year. It is designed for people who do not qualify for weight loss surgery but are dedicated to making the lifestyle changes needed to lose weight – and keep it off.
What sets it apart from other programs is the medical expertise and one-on-one time that a team of Backus dietitians, doctors, nurses, physical therapists and counselors can offer.
The 18-week program is the only one of its kind in the region, and includes nutrition and exercise assessments, goal-setting, meal plans, food journals, behavior therapy, yoga, label reading, supermarket tours and more.
To qualify, you must have referral from a doctor and a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 26. You can calculate your BMI at backushospital.org/bariatrics. For more information about the bariatric surgery or weight loss programs, call 860-889-8331, ext. 8740, or visit backushospital.org/weightloss.
Mark Tousignant, MD, is a minimally invasive general surgeon with Backus Physician Services and Medical Director of the Backus Weight Loss Center. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs or e-mail Dr. Tousignant or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org
