Weight Management Center Opens January 5, 2004 Catawba Valley Medical Center Opens Weight Management Center

In 1999, an estimated 61% of U.S. adults were either overweight or obese. This year, the percentage has increased to 64.5%, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Because being overweight or obese can negatively affect general health and medical conditions, Catawba Valley Medical Center has created and recently opened a Weight Management Center. A multi-disciplinary team, led by Medical Director Dr. Vondell Clark, will assist patients in reducing weight, in turn diminishing the medical conditions associated with obesity or overweight. "Our staff's shared goal in this new center is to teach individuals adaptive techniques that integrate day-to-day decisions into real-world actions for maintaining the desired weight following weight loss in our program," said Dr. Clark. "Most commercial weight loss programs may have some initial success with losing weight but almost everyone gains it back. The most successful programs appear to be physician-supervised and use a multi-faceted approach to dietary, activity, behavior, medical and surgical interventions. "Our patients will keep their own Primary Care Providers," continued Dr. Clark. "The Weight Management Clinic will defer traditional medical management back to these primary physicians. Patient progress will be shared with the primary physician since weight loss may result in reduction or possible discontinuation of certain medications previously required for conditions such as hypertension, elevated blood lipids and diabetes." Upon entering the Weight Management Center program, each patient will undergo a complete medical history and physical including EKG, laboratory work and anthropometric measurements. Then the patient will be assigned to a very low calorie diet (VLCD), modified VLCD or a low calorie diet. A Fitness Center trainer will be assigned to work individually with the patient and to supply an exercise regimen. An in-depth behavioral assessment will also be performed and behavioral techniques will be taught to help the patient lose weight and keep it off. Each WMC patient will be closely monitored and supported throughout the program. If necessary, medication to suppress appetite or to block fat will be prescribed. In some patients, meals may be temporarily replaced with meal supplements. For morbidly obese patients, the possibility of referral for surgery to help with weight loss may be considered. "The main focus of the program is tailoring a program unique for each individual," said Dr. Clark. Located off Hwy. 127 at the Two Bears Plaza in northwest Hickory, the WMC is staffed by Dr. Clark, who also practices at SE Catawba Family Practice in Denver; Linda Swift, Registered Nurse; Vanessa Perry, RN; Lynn Geissele, registered dietitian; Sandy Wallsch-Drury, Fitness Center coordinator, and Carla Brotherton, administrative assistant. Catawba Valley Medical Center is a not-for-profit healthcare system providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health education, wellness services, preventative medicine and acute care. It was recently designated as the thirty-second Magnet facility in the nation and the second in the Carolinas.