Assignment 2 Evaluation of a Weight Loss
Program
Evaluation of a Weight Loss Program
Many Americans believe that they are overweight, from a few pounds to a few hundred pounds. Because
of this, weight loss systems are big business. For this assignment you are to select weight loss system and
evaluate it in terms of the information about the physiology of ingestive behavior covered this week.
 Find a Web site/brochure/popular article/advertising about weight control that proposes a mechanism
for loss of excess weight.
 Document the key proposals in terms of the main claims for success for the program (for example:
restriction of fat, small portions).
 Describe the reasons provided for the effectiveness of the program (for example: A full stomach
reduces hunger, etc.).
 Discuss the physiological components involved in the weight loss program. Clearly express an
understanding of the physiology of the process of hunger, satiation, eating, and drinking as relevant
for the weight loss method being described (for example: Long periods between meals would be likely
to reduce blood sugar levels).
 Present a critique of the materials based on the module information on eating and weight regulation.
 Evaluate the proposal and suggest whether you would try this weight loss system or recommend it to
someone else. Explain why or why not.

Introduction:
Weight loss is a topic that has become more prevalent over the past ten years.
Many healthcare professionals agree that it is important to maintain a proper
weight and maintain an active lifestyle. Some people find a balance of diet and
exercise to help maintain a weight that allows them to remain healthy and
active. However, many people find it increasingly difficult to keep their weight
under control. When individuals are faced with an event in their life that they
need to lose weight, it can often be difficult to find a program that works to
accomplish this goal. Many people also have difficulty remaining attentive to
their diet and exercise plan.
Being overweight and being obese is a major problem within the United States
of America. Overweight and obesity is defined by the Center for Disease
Control and Prevention as “An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is
considered overweight, while an adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is
considered obese” (2014a). CDC Growth Charts are used to determine the
corresponding BMI-for-age and sex percentile for children and adolescents ages
two to nineteen years old. Based on these charts, overweight is defined as a
BMI at or above the 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile for
children of the same age and sex, while Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above
the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex (CDC, 2014b).
Obesity rates are rising every year around the globe. However, these rates
increase more rapidly in the United States than most other countries. Currently,
thirty-four percent of males, and thirty-seven percent of females ages twenty to
seventy-four are considered obese (Heart Association, 2013). Additionally,
about thirty-six percent of school age children are also obese. These statistics
are compared to statistics from the year nineteen eighty-eight. In nineteen
eighty-eight, about fourteen percent of males and seventeen percent of females
age twenty to seventy-four years old were considered to be obese. In
comparison, in nineteen eighty-eight, only about twenty-two percent of school
age children were considered obese (Heart Association, 2013). It is necessary to
investigate new methods to assist people in the process of losing and
maintaining their weight.
One resource that is becoming more recognized is hypnosis. Hypnosis is a
process that essentially connects the conscious mind to the subconscious mind.
There are a variety of different ways to help facilitate this communication, the
most common example being spoken words and use of relaxation techniques

(Hypnosis… pt. 1, 2013). Hypnosis is currently used to help people work
through many different problems, including smoking cessation, weight loss, and
fear and anxiety management. While these three topics have very different
causative factors, hypnosis uses relaxation and tranquility to help people work
through these problems (Hypnosis… pt. 2, 2013).
Katherine Zeratsky (2014) is a Registered Dietician for the Mayo Clinic, stated
that “Hypnosis is a state of inner absorption and concentration, like being in a
trance. Hypnosis is usually done with the help of a hypnotherapist using verbal
repetition and mental images. When you're under hypnosis, your attention is
highly focused, and you're more responsive to suggestions, including behavior
changes that can help you lose weight”.
Paul McKenna, PhD is an expert in the field of hypnosis for weight loss.
McKenna describes the human brain as being similar to a computer. A
computer stores information and completes tasks based on what the computer
has learned. This is very similar to what the human brain does. The human brain
is trained to do many different things, one of these being to crave food. Craving
and eating habits are a learned behavior and therefore we can reprogram our
minds to eat less, control cravings, and feel better about ourselves (Hypnosis…
pt.1, 2013).
However, it is known that hypnosis cannot solely solve a person’s weight loss
problem. Hypnosis can help with weight loss when combined with diet and
exercise. The amount of extra weight lost will vary from individual to
individual (Zeratsky, 2014). After all, the desire to change must come from
within.
Problem Statement:
There has been an increased attention to diet and exercise program over the past
ten years. There has also been a great emphasis placed on the health risks of
being overweight or obese. Despite all of this information being presented in
society, obesity is still a current problem.
Hypothesis:
Individuals who participate in hypnosis for weight loss sessions combined with
diet and exercise will lose more weight than individuals who participate in diet
and exercise alone.
Operational Definitions:

Assignment 2 Evaluation of a Weight Loss Program

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