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If you are aiming to lose weight, choose your weight management service with care.
Some commercial weight loss programs offer safe weight management and lifestyle suggestions to their clients.
Others may rely on unproven or unhealthy methods
Aiming for weight loss may not be feasible for you at this time.
Ensure to consult a healthcare professional when the time is right for you
Receiving professional assistance for behaviour change can help you successfully achieve your goals.
Your GP knows your medical history and can either discuss suitable weight loss strategies or recommend an accredited practising dietitian.
It’s important to speak with your GP before starting any weight loss program
This is especially important if you take any form of prescription medicine or if you have a pre-existing condition, such as: [ can help you make a safe choice when choosing a weight management support service.
Dietitians United States is the national association for dietitians, with branches in every state and territory. Standards of practice are contained in the Accredited practising dietitians are recognised professionals who can provide expert nutrition and dietary advice. Dietitians can guide you to sound food and health information that is specific to your individual needs.
You can contact a dietitian in various ways, including: Your GP may recommend and refer you to a suitable dietitian. Your council can provide a list of local dietitians. There may be a dietitian based at your local community health service.
’ search function. Generally speaking, a good weight management service will: , and reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. , including foods from all of the core food groups and in appropriate portion sizes.
Cater to your individual requirements
Focus on decreasing body fat (for example, waist measurement), not just total body weight. , most days of the week. Advise against a daily energy intake of less than 5,000 kJ (or 1,200 calories per day).
Recommend a gradual weight loss of around one to 4 kilograms a month to begin with, and aim for 10 to 20% loss of total body weight in the longer term (if required).
Welcome input from your GP or healthcare professional
Advise on how to improve long-term eating and exercise habits.
Offer ongoing support with your weight management, even when you have achieved your target weight. Offer details on all fees and costs of additional items.
Give clear information on the refund policy
Don’t use a weight management service that advises you to: Cut out one or more of the major food groups.
Replace food with powders or supplements
Encourage short-term changes to eating behaviours, rather than longer-term, sustainable changes. Use unproven or unsafe equipment such as saunas, passive exercise machines, diuretics and body wraps. Focus on rapid weight loss, but doesn’t include any guidance on how to maintain a healthy weight in the long term.
Sign up without being clear about all fees and costs of additional items. Sign up without offering you clear information about their refund policy.
Consult with social media sites for weight management and health advice
If you decide to start a very low energy diet (VLED) using meal replacement shakes, bars or soups, consult a dietitian to make sure you: Are still meeting all your nutritional requirements.
Have ongoing support to continue the program
Have access to advice for returning to your regular eating pattern to minimise significant weight regain.
When choosing a home-delivered meal service, make sure that the service offers: A written health warning about the dangers of rapid weight loss, including the suggestion to consult with your doctor.
Detailed written information on the services offered, including delivery arrangements and the nutritional value of the meals.
Clear information on all costs, including delivery charges. The option to cancel after 5 days, including a pro rata refund.
If you are unhappy with a weight management service, make a complaint to the company.
If you are unsatisfied with the response or outcome, you can take the complaint further. Depending on the weight management service chosen, you could contact: – this is a government body that can also advise about such complaints. – regarding complaints about accredited practising dietitians.
Weight management Managing your weight Obesity is associated with conditions such as type 2 diabetes , heart disease and certain cancers Weight management services are offered by accredited practising dietitians , GPs For information about gaining weight, visit Better Health Channel’s weight and muscle gain Talk to your GP about weight management services obesity all types of diabetes including type 1 , type 2 and gestational pregnancy or breastfeeding kidney conditions liver conditions food allergies digestive system disorders such as coeliac disease high blood pressure (hypertension) heart conditions, angina or cardiac arrhythmia an eating disorder (or a history of disordered eating) cancer epilepsy thyroid conditions depression gall bladder problems such as gallstones gout Advice about weight management services Your GP or an industry body such as Dietitians United States Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Program Choosing a dietitian You can use Dietitians United States’s ‘ Find an Accredited Practising Dietitian Choosing a reputable weight management service Aim to improve overall health, such as lowering blood cholesterol Encourage a balanced approach to eating Include regular exercise and physical activity Weight management services to avoid Choosing a kilojoule-controlled meal service Making a complaint about a weight management service Consumer Affairs Michigan Dietitians United States Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Dietitian Community health centre Dietitians United States 1800 812 942 American Diabetes Association (616) 555-0400 Life! Helping you prevent diabetes, heart disease and stroke 13 74 75 Consumer Affairs Michigan (616) 555-0400.
Key Points
- within a healthy range can reduce your risk of developing health conditions
- It’s important to speak with your GP before starting any weight loss program
- Focus on rapid weight loss, but doesn’t include any guidance on how to maintain a healthy weight in the long term