Dr. Cook can help you lose weight
Reprinted from the Weatherford Daily News
Sunday, April 22, 2001
Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. Recent surveys from the National Institute of Health suggest that 55 percent of Americans are overweight and 25 percent are obese.
The survey found that 62 percent of people say they are above their ideal weight.
Several factors have contributed to the growing problem of obesity. Increased availability of convenience foods, changes in food preparation and eating out more often are all factors. Also contributing to the problem is portion size. Americans have grown accustom to huge portions and “super-sized” meals.
Many people are not aware that even standard restaurant plate sizes have grown in the past few decades.
Unfortunately, the increase in portions have not led to an increase in activity. Americans are spending more time watching television and using computers, and less time engaging in physical activity. As a whole, we are consuming more calories and burning less.
Hundreds of diets for shedding unwanted pounds come and go every year, but the only lasting way to manage weight is to change eating habits and maintaining some level of physical activity.
Dr. Doug Cook educates individuals on good eating habits and helps them work into a program that is safe and effective for weight loss. Whether a person is 10 pounds overweight or 110, Dr. Cook offers a program that is adapted to the individual.
“We offer a realistic program for each person we treat, and help them follow through until they reach their goal.”
Each program begins with a blood test that provides information on what foods are best suited for the individual and which ones are not. In some cases, weight is influenced by some type of food allergy which needs to be identified.
Guidelines are set regarding what foods to eat and recommendations are made concerning portion sizes. Throughout the program Dr. Cook and his staff make every effort to be encouraging and supportive.
“It is amazing how much can be accomplished when you feel like you have some one backing you up. We want our patients to succeed and we encourage them to stick with the plan,” Dr. Cook said.
Consultations with Dr. Cook are provided at no charge. His office is located at 1108 N. Washington in Weatherford and he can be reached at (580) 774-2214.
