804 West Trinity Avenue

Durham, NC 27701

800-235-3853

Website: www.dukecenter.org

Email: dfcinfo@dukedietcenter.org

Summary

There are only a handful of these special residential facilities in the United States, with intensive weight loss programs staffed by a multidisciplinary team of professionals. These programs are for those who are serious about losing weight, can spend a substantial amount of time away from work, and can afford the high price tag. These are not "spas", although they may have some spa type amenities available. These programs are for people serious about making a lifestyle change, and who want a highly structured program.

The 4 Week Program, the most popular and recommended for first-time participants, helps one understand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and gives one the opportunity to learn and practice new strategies and habits for life. If you cannot stay four weeks, 2 and 3 Week Programs are also available.

For those participants who have completed the 4-week program and would like to stay longer, you may elect an extended stay on a weekly basis for up to a total 3-month stay.

After your stay, Duke offers a lifestyle maintenance program for continued support as well as a series of free workshops and lectures.

Initial 4-Weeks:

This intensive program gives one the opportunity and time to begin forming new strategies and habits for life and helps you become comfortable with the lifestyle changes you’ll continue at home. Throughout the program, you meet with staff members and attend lectures and workshops to learn about the components of weight and health management. This phase includes the following…

• Medical evaluation, including lab tests

• Fitness evaluation, including exercise stress test

• Individual consultations with health psychology, fitness, nutrition staff

• Weekly check-ins with professional staff

• Lectures on topics covering nutrition, fitness, psychology and medicine

• Small group workshops and discussions

• Three healthy meals and a snack each day

• Cooking demonstrations, a restaurant experience and grocery store tour

• Daily fitness classes and access to the fitness facilities, including treadmills, stationary bicycles, virtual reality bicycles and steppers, rowing machines, stair climbers, elliptical trainers, weight circuit and free weights, and an indoor lap pool

• A personal training session

• A 30-minute therapeutic massage.

Additional services such as continued massage therapy, personal fitness training, a smoking cessation program and ongoing individual counseling are available for an extra fee.

Graduates of Duke programs of two weeks or longer, who have been away from Duke for at least three months, but less than 5 years, may participate in the Return Program. Fees are $675-775 per week.

Parents can enroll in the regular 2-Week Program themselves and simultaneously support their child in the Young Adult Lifestyle program. The total cost for both programs is $5,395.

The Lifestyle Maintenance Program is offered to new and return clients. It is 12-biweekly phone sessions over a 6-month period with a Lifestyle Counselor. During sessions, your counselor will help you review your progress and provide you with strategies to continue a healthier lifestyle. Fee is $550. If enrolled prior to beginning the Duke Program, the fee is discounted to $450. The Lifestyle maintenance fee is non-refundable.

New and return clients may choose to bring a family member or friend along to support them in their lifestyle changes. This program includes lectures, all meals, and use of gym and pool facilities. Individual assessments, medical testing, and exercise classes (gym and pool) are excluded from the Support Program. All other services, including personal training and massage, are available for an extra fee. The focus of this program is to provide the support person with a better understanding of the Duke philosophy so that they can be supportive at home. Fee is $700 per week.

An Enhanced Medical Assessment is also available to all return clients. This package includes the more thorough medical history and physical exam provided to new clients and the same group of lab tests provided to new clients.

The Duke Diet and Fitness Center program is an extensive health care encounter, which is outside the scope of what most insurers consider traditional levels of medical services, and is therefore not covered by insurance. The cost of a weight-loss program may be tax deductible as a medical expense when prescribed by your physician to treat obesity.

The staff consists of experts in the treatment of obesity and related medical problems, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Staff members include physicians, physician assistants, exercise physiologists, physical therapists, registered dietitians, psychologists, clinical social workers and massage therapists.

Clients with bulimia, anorexia or severe eating disorders are not accepted into the program. However, Duke does provide treatment for binge eating disorder.

A doctor’s referral is not needed. The program includes a complete medical evaluation by Duke’s clinicians. If you have significant medical issues, Duke asks that you bring medical records with you.

The program can accommodate most, but not all food allergies. Many vegetarian selections are available on the regular Duke menu and they can accommodate requests for Kosher and vegetarian diets, but the options are more limited.

The nutritional breakdown for the total calories per day is 50-55% carbohydrates, 18% protein, and 20-25% fats.

A study of participants showed that after two years, 55% maintained their weight loss; at three years, 47% maintained, and after four or more years, 42% maintained their weight loss. On average, the rate of weight loss is approximately 1-2 % of total body weight per week. This varies depending on many factors, including age and overall medical condition.

BestDietForMe.com analysts feel that this is an excellent weight loss program where one has access to a wide range of professionals and support. Long-term maintenance services are also important and are available. On-site exercise and personal training are included and the counseling is one to one and top notch. There really isn’t much that isn’t provided—it’s very comprehensive, and covers psychological components of weight loss as well as family support. The drawbacks to such a program, however, are that it’s costly and it may be difficult for clients to get away from work (and family) for 2-4 weeks.