Starting April 24, University of Kansas faculty will have a chance to lose weight, over the phone.
The program, HealthQuest Healthy Weight Program, has five sessions all completed over the telephone. It was designed to help participants achieve healthy eating habits and learn basic exercise.
“This program teaches someone how to eat,” said Cheryl Miller, Director of HealthQuest, “We don’t give specific diet plans, but how to eat healthy and change health behaviors.
The program is offered quarterly to all Kansas state employees and their families. It is open to 100 participants.
“It is offered to over 46,000 people,” Miller said, “We average 40 participants each time.”
The program follows the guidelines set by the American Dietetic Association, the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Diabetes Association.
The American Diabetes Association suggests eating fruits and vegetables of an array of colors. Eat fish at least two to three meals a week, and choose whole grains over processed grain products. These include whole-wheat spaghetti and brown rice.
“People should eat whole foods, minimize junk food, have smaller portions, and exercise,” Miller said.
The American Diatetic Association recommends choosing a vigorous activity to lose calories. It suggests taking the stairs instead of the elevator and choosing to walk fifteen minutes during a lunch break.
The HealthQuest Healthy Weight Program is broken into five sessions. Participants are asked to call in each week for the 55-minute session.
Each session has a theme. Session one analyzes physical, psychological, and the spiritual well-being of the person. Session two focuses on the function of food. Session three lets participants find an exercise plan that suits their needs. Session four is focused on self-esteem. While session five helps participants with the final plan for their healthy eating after the program has ended.
The participants only have to pay the phone bill for the session.
“It is free to all state employees,” Miller said.
The Kansas Health Policy Authority has hosted this program for the past two years. The HealthQuest program has been around since 1988. This program has helped people with mental health, personal counseling, life-style coach.
