The obesity epidemic now seems to be universally acknowledged, although insight into the extent of its consequences is growing monthly.
The latest study in the UK has put the cost of a poor diet at considerably higher than previous estimates. The National Health Service is likely to be out of pocket to the tune of £6bn a year if
all the costs of food-related disease are added up, according to Oxford University. That's significantly more than the official estimate for the cost of obesity--£479m a year--and three times as much as the financial toll from smoking.
Globally, the health and fitness industry seeks to be seen as a provider of healthcare, as well as a provider of leisure pursuits. So, how has the sector been doing in responding to this colossal need for weight management?
Until now, the reaction has been mixed. Most operators seem to agree that they should be providing a healthy nutritional message to support the exercise programme offered to their members. When it comes to delivering this service, however, they've been hesitating.
"Operators haven't been prepared to put the resources behind this initiative," says Penny Hunking, a leading nutritionist in the UK who runs a consultancy and training organisation called Energise. The reason, she says, is that many health clubs have felt that they can't compete with the might of the diet companies in providing comprehensive and up-to-the-minute information.
But now some clubs are finding a workable solution. They're teaming up with experts in this sector and moving towards some powerful diet and exercise collaborations.
Cannons, Fitness First launch new programmes
For example, in November 2005, Fitness First announced that it is working with Slimming World in the UK while Cannons launched a pilot project with Weight Watchers International, and leading experts agree it's a good thing.
"It makes a lot of sense for leading commercial organisations in the world of weight loss and fitness to team up," says Ken Fox, Professor of Exercise and Health Sciences at the University of Bristol, and one of the UK's most prominent physical activity and obesity experts. "They are in touch with thousands of people on a weekly basis.
What's appealing about [the Fitness First] programme is that it unites the key components essential for long-term weight management-healthier eating and regular physical activity. Motivation and support for behaviour change are central and this should enhance chances of long-term success."
Still in its infancy, the Cannons programme is currently being tested at three of its gyms.
"At Cannons we can offer professional and expert fitness advice to a very high standard, which of course does entail weight management, but we really want to be able to provide our members with the very best expertise available in the weight-loss sphere," said Sam Potter
of Cannons.
"By joining forces with Weight Watchers we offer Cannons members an all-under-one-roof opportunity, which stays true to the 'convenience and flexibility' philosophy we proudly adhere to. By partnering with Weight Watchers, we believe we can offer the complete path to health,
fitness and weight management."
In the launch of the scheme, both members and non-members pay a special rate of £4.95 to attend a Weight Watchers meeting at one of the three Cannons clubs. They also get the 10th meeting free, having attended consecutive meetings until then. Meetings are held by qualified Weight Watchers leaders, all of whom have lost weight themselves with the Weight Watchers programme.
For the Fitness First programme, which is called "Together," professionals from Fitness First and Slimming World and experts in the fields of nutrition, exercise science and motivation have devised a comprehensive turnkey programme, which is being promoted as the most advanced weight-loss initiative ever.
Instructors and personal trainers at 150 Fitness First clubs will work closely with Slimming World consultants in over 5,500 slimming groups across the UK. Membership in Together includes one-to-one induction and training sessions; a personalised exercise and activity programme; five-point health check and activity programme reviews after six and 12 weeks;
weekly weight loss support sessions along with advice on shopping, cooking and eating for the whole family; 24 hour online support; and access to educational workshops.
Both companies are specialists in motivating and supporting members in their respective fields, and believe it is their combined expertise in this important area (often neglected in other weight loss programmes) that will result in unprecedented long-term weight loss for participants.
SATS makes a match with The Greek Doctor's Diet
Meanwhile, in Scandinavia, the leading health club chain SATS has teamed up with Dr Fedon Lindberg, a Greek native who lives in Oslo. He has devised a nutritional programme based on the Atkins regime of low carbohydrates called The Greek Doctor's Diet. Published in 2002, it has since been a bestseller outside Norway too. In 2004 Dr Lindberg started working with SATS to incorporate exercise into his regime.
"We had a successful meeting where we saw how the nutritional advice and the exercise programmes fit together," said SATS chief executive, Andreas Gothberg. "We were keen to convince people of the benefits of combining good nutrition with physical activity and it
seemed sensible for experts in these fields to cooperate rather than seek to develop their own competencies."
The programme has three main components. Lindberg has a clinic in Oslo with doctors, behavioural psychiatrists and nutritionists. There is a gym where overweight people can exercise in a protected environment and gain confidence through activity. Lifestyle and fitness coaching is provided by SATS staff. The plan is to roll out this model elsewhere.
Lindberg has also devised a nutrition and weight management course which is delivered by 100 licensed instructors over eight sessions. SATS supports this programme by providing a complementary eight-session exercise course.
Finally there is a "Nutrition and Exercise in Balance" course which has been devised by Lindberg specifically for SATS members who want to achieve enhanced performance. The four-hour course focuses on nutrition for people with regular exercise habits. A total of 60 instructors at SATS are licensed to to conduct the programme.
