Reduce Obesity

IPR OBESITY

Reduce Obesity Dietician for Molloy's Pharmacies, Caroline Brosnihan tells us how to reduce obesity in your community - through your pharmacy.

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ne of the hot topics at the moment is the current obesity epidemic in Ireland. One in four adults is obese.

There are numerous reasons for the obesity epidemic, such as the rapid change in environment, decrease in physical activity and consumption of convenience food and sugarsweetened drinks. All healthcare professionals have a key responsibility 50

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to reduce obesity and inform the public on the importance of being a healthy weight.

In Molloy's Lifestyle Pharmacies and Health Stores, staff have demonstrated a multi-disciplinary team approach in helping people with obesity and weight loss. The Pharmacist refers patients to the Dietician for many reasons such as: pregnancy, baby nutrition, children’s

health; coeliac and gluten free diets, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, arthritis; allergies and food intolerances, nutrition for the elderly; nutrition during menopause, eating disorders and sports nutrition.

However, one of the most common reasons for referring to a dietician is for weight loss. Patients are referred to the dietician, so that an appropriate dietary plan is initiated and

OBESITY IPR

maintained. It is important to note that weight loss may be inappropriate for certain people, such as most lactating or pregnant women and patients with uncontrolled psychiatric illness; for these patients, specialised care is required.

Participation of multiple health care professionals is essential for healthy weight loss. A weight loss of 0.5 to 1 kg (1-2 lbs) per week is regarded as a healthy weight loss. When weight is lost slowly, it is more likely to come from stored body fat. A healthy body weight is achieved when your energy intake (from food and drink) is balanced by your energy output (your body’s activity levels), and your body mass index (BMI) is between the levels of 18.5 and 24.9. It is important

to approach weight loss with a sensible, practical and realistic plan that fits in with everybody’s individual lifestyle.

As one of the most accessible health care professionals, the pharmacist or staff working in a pharmacy may be the first person patients approach when deciding to lose weight.

Pharmacists can answer patients’ initial questions on weight loss goals and diet programmes. Pharmacists should be prepared to answer patient questions about maintaining adequate nutrition during weight loss, and setting healthy weight loss goals and refer them to a dietician as appropriate.

One of my main interests in dietetics is weight loss. Weight loss is much more than a number on the weighing scale. My clients have gained confidence, increased energy; feel healthier and fitter and even sleep better.

In January 2013, Molloys Lifestyle Pharmacies and Health Stores launched their new weight management programme called, Steps4Success. The eight-week programme is a Dietician led initiative, which aims to firstly help participants lose weight, and secondly the programme provides them with the tools they need to continue to manage their weight for the rest of their lives. I facilitate private one-toone consultations to help tailor an eating plan for clients’ own individual needs and monitor their progress each week. Steps4Success has no gimmicks, but is all about eating normal food, weight loss and sustainable results.

With clients’ hard work and motivation the results speak for themselves - clients are losing more than 2lbs per week. This programme is not a fad diet, it is not a complicated way of eating or living, it is a lifestyle change that aims to aid weight

management and implements healthy lifestyle practices into everyday life, changing the way you feel and look forever. The programme consists of weekly meetings where I offer guidance, advice and the motivation needed to achieve clients’ goals.

Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight is the key to good health and the prevention of weight-related risks such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and high blood glucose levels. The result is a reduced risk of ill-health, from cardiovascular disease which causes strokes, heart attacks and type two diabetes.

It’s not just about losing weight, but to keeping it off and preventing weight regain. Keeping the weight off is a difficult part of weight management, but it is achievable, especially when good eating habits and exercise are part of your normal daily routine.

Pharmacies are a good way to spread the word and the educational message, because they have broad reach and regular contact with community members and the general public.

Caroline holds private clinics in the following stores: Garden St., Ballina, Co.Mayo, Bunree Rd., Ballina, Co.Mayo, Ballaghaderren, Co.Roscommon and Harrison Centre, Roscommon Town, Co. Roscommon.

Caroline is also available to do group talks. Caroline can be contacted by logging onto www.molloyspharmacy. com and clicking on ‘ask the dietician’

Caroline Brosnihan

Caroline Brosnihan, Registered Dietician for Molloy's Lifestyle Pharmacies & Health Stores. www.molloyspharmacy.com Irish Pharmacy Retailer

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