Spring 2008

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FitLogix™ Weight-Loss Program Finds Long-Term Success

Dee Barros tried all the trendy diets, and, from time to time, got decent results. But she was never able to keep the weight  off permanently. It wasn’t until Barros enrolled in a weight-loss program offered through National Jewish that she found long-term results. She lost 25 pounds and kept them off.

“I have finally found something I can stick to and succeed,” said Barros.

Barros is one of the early success stories associated with FitLogix™, a weight-loss program National Jewish officially launched in January 2008. FitLogix™ is more than just a diet.

“With personal coaching, education and electronic in-home objective feedback, we help people achieve long-term behavioral change and sustainable weight loss,” said David Tinkelman, MD, Vice President of Health Initiatives at National Jewish. “We know of no other program that combines all these elements in this way.”

National Jewish contracts with large employers, government agencies and health insurers to offer the program free-of-charge to its members and employees. Members of Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association and employees of National Jewish who are Anthem Blue Cross members began signing up on January 2, 2008. The program expanded to include Colorado Medicaid patients in early February.

The National Jewish foray into weight-loss rose out of its experience with telephonic and behavioral change programs.  For more than 20 years National Jewish has operated the National Jewish Lung Line®, a toll-free medical information service staffed by registered nurses. National Jewish was also one of the pioneers of telephonic disease management with successful programs in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Currently, National Jewish operates tobacco quitlines for Colorado , Ohio , Iowa , Idaho and Montana .

National Jewish started with a prototype program, GetFit Colorado . Upon completion of the six-month program, 90 percent of the participants, including Barros, had lost weight, with an average loss of nearly 12 pounds or just under 6 percent of their body weight. Studies have shown that people who lose 5 percent of their body weight enjoy a noticeable, positive change in their health, including having more energy and reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

FitLogix™ is an expanded version of GetFit Colorado , lasting a full year and including extra elements. Counselors help all participants create a personalized weight-loss program, then coach them with 15 phone calls during the year. Participants follow a self-paced educational program, which helps them understand the links between diet, exercise, health and weight.

Patients also receive a scale and activity monitor, which they clip onto their shoes. For those with Internet access, the monitors and scale send radio signals to a small device plugged into their computers, which then documents their daily activity and weight on a personalized Web page.

“The activity monitor and scale provide objective feedback that serves as a strong motivator,” said Dr. Tinkelman.