get personalized feedback, help, and support. Although
the main focus of the program is weight loss, the pro-
gram is also intended to help dieters achieve overall
better health and to have more energy.BenefitsThere are many benefits to weight loss if it is
achieved at a moderate pace through healthy eating
and exercise. Most experts suggest that a moderate
pace is about 1–2 pounds of weight loss per week.
Slim4Life claims that its dieters lose weight at about
twice this rate.Obesityis a risk factor for type 2 dia-
betes,hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and many
other diseases and conditions. People who are the most
obese are at the greatest risk, and are most likely to have
severe symptoms if the diseases do develop. Weight loss
can reduce the risk of obesity-related disease and can
even reduce the severity of the symptoms in some cases
when the diseases have already developed.
Many dieters may find that the one-on-one nature
of the counseling at Slim4Life centers is extremely help-
ful. People who are shy or have feelings of embarrass-
ment about their weight may find that it is easier to talk
about weight and weight-related issues in an individual,
instead of a group setting. Others, however, may find
that they would prefer the social support system that
group settings can bring. Individual counseling can also
help by addressing the individual needs and preferences
of dieters. Slim4Life says that it can work with a dieter’s
personal physician to address any dietary needs related
to diseases and conditions, such as high blood pressure
or diabetes. This possible integration of physician and
weight-loss center may be beneficial for people with
strict dietary requirements or concerns, and may help
the dieter make the best dietary decisions for his or her
particular needs.Precautions
Anyone thinking of beginning a new diet should
consult a medical practitioner. Requirement of calo-
ries,protein, and other nutrients vary from person to
person based on age, weight, sex, activity level, and
many other factors. Pregnant orbreastfeedingwomen
should be especially cautious because what the mother
eats can have significant impact on the health and
well-being of the baby. When accepting advice about
diet and other health concerns, dieters should not be
afraid to enquire about the credentials of the person
who is advising them. Trained and certified dieticians,
nutritionists, registered nurses and others will usually
be happy to share information about credentials,
school, training, and certifications. Dieters should becautious about accepting dietary or medical advice
from people who are not trained and certified.Risks
There are some risks to any diet, but there are
generally more risks to a diet that is very restrictive of
any type of food. This is because eating a limited variety
of foods can make it difficult to get all of thevitamins
andmineralsrequired for good health. Dieters may
want to talk to their doctor about whether a multivita-
min or supplement would help reduce this risk. Dietary
supplements have their own risks, even if they are herbal
or ‘‘all nautral’’. Dieters should discuss any recom-
mended herbs, vitamins, or supplements with their
doctor or another health care professional to ensure
that the supplements are necessary and safe before
beginning to take them.Research and general acceptance
There have been no significant scientific studies
investigating the effectiveness of the Slim4Life pro-
gram. It is generally accepted that a moderately
reduced calorie diet, when combined with exercise, is
a good way for people to lose weight. Most experts
recommend 1–2 pounds a week, less than Slim4Life
promises, as a reasonable amount of weight to lose
each week for most people.
The United States Department of Agriculture
makes recommendations for healthy eating in its
MyPyramid food guide. MyPyramid recommends
the number of servings from each food group neededQUESTIONS TO ASK THE
DOCTOR Is this diet safe for me?
Is this diet the best diet to meet my goals?
Are any supplements, herbs, or multivitamins
recommended to me necessary for me?
Are any supplements, herbs, or multivitamins
recommended to me likely to be safe for me?
Do I have any dietary requirements this diet
might not meet?
Is this diet safe for my entire family?
Is it safe for me to follow this diet over an
extended period of time?
Are there any sign or symptoms that might
indicate a problem while on this diet?Slim4Life