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Summary & Comment

Contrary to what many people think, not all weight loss programs are operated by retail commercial chains, or sold via the Internet. Many excellent programs are based in local community hospitals, or clinics, supervised by degreed medical staff, and have been around a long time. In many cases, these diet plans may be safer than do-it-yourself plans, since your progress and health status is monitored on a regular basis. Also, not all hospital diet plans use drugs such as Meridia, Xenical, or gastric bypass surgery.

Of the approximately 4,900 community hospitals in the United States, BestDietForMe.com estimates that approximately 60% offer some form of weight loss program--or about 2,949 community hospitals.

One might think that, because this type of program is based in a hospital, it's more expensive than a commercial program like Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, NutriSytem, LA Weight Loss, South Beach Diet, etc.  Not so. In many cases, the costs are comparable or even less expensive. Hospitals see weight loss programs as a natural fit, since they already have the facility (the hospital) and don't have to lease additional space. They also have a fitness center, often used for physical rehab purposes. And, they already have a comprehensive staff of registered dietitians/nutrition experts, nurses, psychologists, MDs, surgeons and more.

In addition, medically supervised programs may be more likely to be covered by health insurance, another plus for the weight loss customer.

Furthermore, it's likely that hospital and clinic-based diet programs will have a longer track record and have collected more rigorous clinical data about their weight loss patients--how much weight they lost, how well they maintained that loss, etc., versus their commercial competitors. Some, like HMR (Health Management Resources), Medifast, and Optifast (Novartis) have benncollecting weight loss data for 10-20 years. They actually have proof that their programs work, something the latest commercial fad diet program that cropped up down the street yesterday will not have.

Some consumers may be turned off by the hospital environment, feeling that they are only for sick or injured people. This is foolish, since a weight loss patient is not likely to be put in the same area as sick people.

Types of Weight Loss Programs Hospitals Offer

Based on interviews with hospital staff and the medically monitored program providers, it seems that hospital weight loss programs can be classified into one of three groups, with varying prices, as follows:

The least expensive and simplest kind of program, generally priced at $80-200 for a 6-14 week plan. BestDietForMe.com's best estimate is that about 2,211 hospitals (the majority, 75%) offer this type of low-involvement, low-cost program. We think this type of program has become more popular since the early 1990s. Of this total, several hundred facilities use the LEARN Education Center’s program for weight control.

This consists of counseling classes or offering a program licensed from one of the major commercial diet chains such as Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc., or a program developed by the hospital itself. This type program uses special foods or entrees, but not a very-low-calorie fasting diet. In this program, strict weekly check-ups by a physician are not required. This program is estimated to cost about $60/week for 18 weeks, or a total of $1,000.  BestDietForMe.com estimates that about 338 hospitals offer this type of weight loss program (or 11% of U.S. hospitals).

This is the most costly variation of hospital-based diet program, involving a liquid protein diet, medically monitored weekly, with lab tests--offered through one of the major vendors such as Novartis Nutrition (Optifast), HMR, etc. BestDietForMe.com estimates that about 400 hospitals now offer this type program, which typically costs $2,300-2,500. This is down substantially from the estimated 730 hospitals offering this type of diet plan in late 1993. This is due to the fact that Redux and the phen-fen plan were wildly popular in 1996-97, and hurt enrollments in these programs substantially. However, fasting programs are returning to popularity once again.

Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center

Johns Hopkins Greenspring Station

2360 W. Joppa Road

Lutherville, MD 21093

This facility is among the "cadillacs" of the industry, in terms of reputation and longevity. The Johns Hopkins Weight Management program has three levels of care. They are as follows:

This program is for moderately overweight individuals. The program includes private weekly lifestyle counseling sessions with a registered dietitian and/or psychologist and/or exercise psychologist. The cost is $25.00-$50.00 per visit after modified evaluations* are complete.

This program is for moderately or significantly overweight individuals. This program includes a comprehensive, low-calorie three-phase treatment plan including nutritional supplements. The cost for this program is $25.00 - $50.00 per visit plus cost of the supplement (approximately $44/week) after evaluations* and individual follow-up sessions are complete.

The evaluations for Level I and Level II cost $395 (metabolic, nutrition, behavioral assessments, plus a physical fitness test). The evaluations for Level III includes the above plus a doctor’s consultation and a physical exam, for a total cost of $585.

This program is for individuals significantly overweight with or without serious medical conditions needing more rapid weight loss and the supervision of a physician. It is a comprehensive, low calorie four-phase treatment plan including nutritional supplements and/or medication, if appropriate. The cost of this program is $114 per week plus the evaluations as in Level I and Level II with the addition of a Physician Consultation and Physical Exam at the price of $190.00 (or $140 with recent EKG and labs)--for a total cost of $585.00 (or $520.00 with recent EKG and lab results).

Palos Community Hospital

12251 S. 80^th Avenue,

Palos Heights, IL 60463

This hospital has one of the most comprehensive varieties of weight loss programs we’ve seen anywhere—everything from an adolescent program to a modified fasting program. The hospital offers affordable programs (no higher than $365), and does an excellent job of leveraging its existing staff and assets, utilizing their fitness center, RDs, exercise physiologists, nutritionists, etc.

The various programs are usually held four times a year and have small groups of 5-15 people in each session. However, there are a significant number of other patients that do come into the hospital for one-on-one nutritional counseling. Programs are updated regularly and the percentage of fat in the diet may be modified, based on the latest available research and recommendations.

This program offers step-by-step nutrition instruction in a group setting. It covers: personalized meal plans, weight loss management, exercise and fitness guidelines, low fat recipes, tips for dining out, stress management, and supermarket shopping strategies. They meet in groups for an hour on a weekly basis, for 10 weeks. The cost for this program is $175.

Note: The two above hospital-based programs are simply examples of what's out there. There are many many more across the country. You should contact YOUR local hospital to find out what they offer. Many have formed alliances with local health clubs or YMCAs, or have information on their websites. Call and inquire.

A significant number of U.S. hospitals offer this self-help book/plan, developed by obesity research expert Kelly Brownell. The 2000 edition of The LEARN Program includes an Introduction and Orientation Lesson, followed by 16 weekly lessons and a Commencement Lesson, a Master List of 158 lifestyle change techniques, The Weight Loss Readiness Test, a comprehensive index, and more.

The LEARN Program is designed to be used in a number of settings, including hospitals, self-help programs, group programs with a professional instructor, one-on-one counseling, and as a supplement to other weight management programs, including all commercial programs.

LEARN is an acronym that stands for five essential components of lifestyle behavior-change programs: Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitudes, Relationships, and Nutrition.

This program is designed specifically for health professionals who share a common objective of helping their clients/patients reduce the risks of preventable diseases through lifestyle change. LEARN was developed in 1995, and the plan will cost less than $250. The LifeStyle Counselor Certification Program continues to be the only multi-disciplinary, lifestyle-change training program ever developed for health care professional across all disciplines.

Lindora operates with a staff of MDs, RNs, LPNs, and nurse practitioners. Nurses do the counseling. Lindora also has a "Lean for Life"^Ò at home program. This personalized program brings one the same coaching, books, tools, and nutritional products used by patients at the Lindora clinics in California. The program is designed for safe but rapid weight loss.

Lindora also has branched out to offer the Lindora Online program and Lindora By Phone. Below are fees for the Lindora Online program:

23625 Northwestern Highway

Southfield, MI 48075

Website: www.mwlc.com

This is a regional chain of 25 clinics, in operation for more than 20 years. The "Jump Start" program is a 4-week diet plan that costs $180. Liberty Plus is a Nutraceutical and Antioxidant Therapy Program that begins at $169 for 4 week introduction. The "Virtual Clinics" plan is priced at $30 for a 3-month plan.

Physicians Weight Loss Centers

395 Springside Drive

Akron, OH 44333-2496

Websites: www.pwlc.com and www.healthmanagementgroup.com  

The company has approximately 55 centers in operation today. The company has locations in 10 states: AL, FL, IN, MS, NC, OH, SC, TX, WV, WI. Physicians Weight Loss Centers was founded in 1979.

The weight loss program is said to be a low-fat, high-fiber, low cholesterol and rich-in-complex carbohydrates diet, as suggested by the U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health. All clients must have an initial physicians' consultation and evaluation with a center physician to determine eligibility. Vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements are available. PWLC also offers the Medifast brand very low calorie fasting supplements.

Time and money spent on the program varies, depending on the amount of weight the client needs to lose, and what kind of specials are being offered in your area. For example, a recent call to a center in Florida revealed a $99 special for System 1, losing up to 15 lbs., plus the cost of products/supplements (ranging from $30-90/week, avg. $58). Therefore, if one wanted to stay on this program for 12 weeks to get to their goal weight, it would cost about $795.

For all Online versions of the PWLC plans, you pay $96 for 3 months, and $4.99/month thereafter.