Diet advice ineffectiveness: "Simply suggesting diet improvements yields no positive results"

Diet advice ineffectiveness: "Simply suggesting diet improvements yields no positive results"

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Shedding those extra pounds ain't always a walk in the park, especially when you're bombarded with generic weight loss advice like "eat healthier" or "exercise more." But new research from Duke University shakes things up, suggesting that such run-of-the-mill tips don't cut it when it comes to weight loss success.

So, what's the secret sauce? The researchers' insightful findings reveal the importance of specific guidance and empathetic care from healthcare providers. Let's dive into the deets.

In this study, they rounded up 134 participants, aged 51 on average, who battled with excess weight and common health problems like diabetes and hypertension. Over two-thirds of them were women, and half were African-American.

The trial lasted a year, during which participants took part in a personalized weight loss program that set goals according to their individual needs. They received educational materials, calls from program coaches, and regular progress reports. But the kicker? Some of them also received additional support from doctors and nurses, who either doled out general advice or provided specific guidance and encouragement.

At the half-year and year marks, the researchers measured participants' weight and asked about the advice they'd received from their healthcare providers. And guess what? Those who got tailored tips and information from their docs shed almost 7 pounds more compared to their peers who just got the generic advice.

But it gets better. The levels of empathy displayed by healthcare providers made a mark, too—participants who perceived their doctors as genuinely empathetic lost around 7 pounds more on average than those who felt let down by their providers' lack of compassion.

Based on these findings, the authors recommend healthcare providers be mindful of the impact of their interactions with patients. They also advise individuals hunting for weight loss advice to query their doctors and nurses for particular recommendations.

"If you're joining a weight loss program, consider asking your healthcare providers to check in on your progress," recommends study co-author Megan McVay. "It'll help you stay accountable." And remember, you want a provider who actually gives a damn about your struggle to slim down.

here's a quick rundown of successful weight loss programs that focus on personalized plans, empathetic care, and holistic approaches to health:

1. MinuteClinic’s Weight-Loss Program: Offers personalized weight-loss plans, medical evaluations, and follow-up visits to ensure ongoing support and even medication if eligible.
2. NYU Langone Health’s Weight Management Program: This program takes a holistic approach, focusing on nutrition education, lifestyle guidance, exercise plans, behavioral techniques, and trigger analysis.
3. Combination of Lifestyle Changes and Medication: Success often involves diet, exercise, and mindset changes, combined with medication like Qsymia and GLP-1s.

In short, programs that help overweight adults successfully shed pounds usually offer personalized advice, empathetic care, and a holistic approach to health.

1. The secret to successful weight loss might be found in personalized advice and empathetic care from healthcare providers, as suggested by a study in Durham from Duke University.
2. Participants in the study who received specific guidance and encouragement from doctors and nurses lost almost 7 pounds more than those who just received generic advice.
3. according to study co-author Megan McVay, individuals seeking weight loss advice should consider asking their healthcare providers for tailored recommendations.
4. Holistic weight loss programs, such as MinuteClinic’s Weight-Loss Program and NYU Langone Health’s Weight Management Program, emphasize personalized plans, nutritional education, lifestyle guidance, exercise plans, behavioral techniques, and trigger analysis.
5. Success often involves diet, exercise, and mindset changes, combined with medication like Qsymia and GLP-1s.
6. In essence, programs that aid overweight adults in losing weight typically offer personalized advice, empathetic care, and a comprehensive approach to health and wellness, including fitness and exercise, and other nutrition considerations for maintaining a healthy diet.

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