Type of Counseling:  provided by psychotherapists, exercise counselors, medical staff, and nutritionists

Typical Cost:  $3,098-9,936 regular program/ $3,698-$10,569 diabetes program

Type Program:  residential, specialty facility

Type of Foods Used:  regular grocery store food

At-Home or Direct Mail Plan Available?  Not applicable

3017 Pickett Road

Durham, NC 27705

800-553-0052

Email: Info@sructurehouse.com

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 Structure House story began 26 years ago. Dr. Gerard Musante was a clinical psychologist on the faculty of the Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Musante with his wife Rita, a specialist in education, founded the formal Structure House program in Durham, North Carolina in 1977.

Structure House has partnered with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Medical Center to help advance general knowledge in the field of obesity treatment.

The Structure House complex is situated on 21 wooded acres near downtown Durham and Duke University. The program offers participants a supportive but challenging environment that combines nutritious food, exercise, and behavioral therapy. More than 60% of program participants come to Structure House by referral from physicians or from previous participants.

The 75 member Structure House staff includes psychotherapists, exercise counselors, a medical staff, nutritionists, and kitchen and dining room staff.

Dr. Musante is a Clinical Psychologist and a Clinical Fellow in the Behavior Therapy and Research Society. He has worked with thousands of overweight patients, authored many professional publications, and is a leading authority in the field of obesity treatment. Prior to establishing Structure House in 1977, Dr. Musante was on the faculty of Duke University Medical Center, where he pioneered the behavior change approach to weight loss. He continues to serve Duke University as a Consulting Professor in the Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

With nutrition and fitness guidance, Structure House helps you lose weight immediately, and with behavioral counseling, they help you maintain the weight loss. Structure House is not a luxury spa.

The treatment philosophy of Structure House is that "structure" is a problem-solving strategy for living with food in a healthy way. "Structured" eating is consuming nutritious food to meet one’s daily nourishment needs. Other eating is "unstructured" and is triggered by boredom, stress loneliness, and other habits.

Structure House offers a 4-week program for first time participants. Although the best benefits will be received by attending all four weeks together, the program may be attended in separate weeks of one, two or three, as needed. One may also elect to visit Structure House for less time.

The program includes a private one-bedroom apartment, individually selected meals, use of all facilities, and a schedule of more than 80 classes and activities each week. It also includes an evaluation by professional staff and medical and fitness testing.

Post Bariatric Surgery Program

Stucture House's specialized post-bariatric weight loss surgery track is designed to combine behavioral and insight interventions to enhance the long term effectiveness for those who have had obesity surgery.

Prior to surgery, patients are often advised to begin changing their diet and exercise patterns. Structure House can assist surgical candidates in developing an appropriate exercise program and in altering their eating habits. For individuals who have had surgery, Structure House also can provide assistance. Often, after significant initial weight loss, people find that weight loss slows, weight gain can occur, cycles of binging and purging may occur, along with the rejection of some foods.

Not only does this program help participants lose weight, but it also helps change eating patterns, mood, self-esteem and confidence. 

                                                         Regular Program  Diabetes Program

The Extension /return program is designed for participants that have completed the four week program and want to stay longer or to return for reinforcement. The weekly fee ranges from $1,468-$1,624.

The Family Support Program is designed to provide for a spouse, family member, or support person who plans to accompany the participant. Fees include meals, use of all exercise facilities, and selected classes. The weekly fee is: $1,095. Another level allows use of fitness facilities, all meals, no classes. Cost: $595 

In your first week you can expect to lose an average of 3-5 pounds if you are a woman and 5-10 pounds if you are a man.

The amount of weight a person may lose varies. Most recent figures available from Structure House research show an average loss of 20.5 pounds, or 6.1% of body weight, for men and 13.6 pounds, or 5.8% of body weight, for woman. These figures are based on initial weight loss, which includes water weight. The average length of stay related to these figures is 25 days. Factors that affect one’s weight loss include your initial weight, age, sex, and individualized caloric program.

The psychological results of the program are notable and noticeable. Structure House collected data measuring the psychological impact of its approach and found that participants were significantly less depressed and more confident at the end of their treatment program. These results show that the program not only reduces depression but it increases a participant’s confidence in being able to handle daily life.

BestDietForMe.com analysts feel that this is an excellent weight loss program where one has access to a good range of professionals and support. On-site exercise and lodging is included and the counseling is one to one and top notch. It’s comprehensive, and covers psychological components of weight loss as well as family support. However, clients seeking a more comprehensive staff (including dietitians, physical therapists, etc.) may prefer the Duke Diet & Fitness Center. Structure House seems to be more heavily focused on psychology staff and their team is not as "deep". The drawbacks to such a program are that it’s costly and it may be difficult for clients to get away from work (and family) for 4 weeks, although this program does offer the ability to break up the stay into one week increments.

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