April 8, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) EatRight Weight Management Program has been named one of five Weight Loss Clinics of the Year by OPTIFAST, a division of Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition. EatRight, which features the OPTIFAST system in one of its weight-control programs, was cited for outstanding patient care and extraordinary growth.
The award was presented at a recent OPTIFAST Summit in Texas, where nutrition experts gathered to tackle some of the complexities of long-term weight management.
EatRight OPTIFAST is a complete meal-replacement system that is designed for people who need to lose at least 50 pounds. The year-long program includes 12 weeks of meal replacement, six weeks of transition to regular food using the EatRight principles of smart food choices and moderation, and then enrollment in the EatRight Lifestyle Program and EatRight for Life for behavioral counseling and continued nutrition education.
"UAB EatRight's partnership with OPTIFAST provides our patients with the expertise of the OPTIFAST system coupled with the lifestyle, educational and behavioral components of EatRight," said Jamy Ard, M.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Nutrition Sciences and medical director for EatRight. "Obesity is a major health risk in America, and we're gratified to be recognized for our commitment to patient care and growth."
About OPTIFAST
OPTIFAST was developed in 1974 to fill the growing need to treat obesity in a healthy, effective way with a sensible option for lifestyle transformation. The program combines support and counseling, lifestyle education and medical monitoring with meal replacements to help people lose weight and reduce weight-related health risks. The OPTIFAST program is available in more than 400 clinics nationwide. For more information and to see patient stories visit www.OPTIFAST.com.
About the UAB EatRight Weight Management Program
EatRight is a lifestyle-oriented, weight-control program designed to beat the odds of the weight-loss battle by easing participants into new eating and exercising habits. The UAB EatRight staff of physicians, dietitians and exercise trainers provides services to the general public using the most up-to-date nutrition information available. More information in online at http://www.uab.edu/shp/eatright/.