A more responsible attitude towards teenage weight loss

Citation

(2003), "A more responsible attitude towards teenage weight loss", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 33 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2003.01733bab.014

A more responsible attitude towards teenage weight loss

Despite the worrying increase in the number of people who are overweight or obese, Cambridge Manufacturing Co. Ltd does not want to exploit the under 18 market by a change in advertising rules. Cambridge – makers of the Cambridge Diet – believe that people below the age of 18 wishing to follow a weight loss programme should only do so with the consent of their parents and the permission of their doctor, and then only if conventional advice on diet and exercise has not been successful.

Eileen Skinner, managing director, said: "Despite our concerns over the growing obesity problem, we are especially sensitive to younger people. Although all of our potential customers are interviewed by an accredited counsellor, we would insist that youngsters concerned about their weight should speak to their doctor first". If the doctor subsequently recommends the use of the nutritionally complete Cambridge Diet, together with conventional food, then the counsellor would devise an appropriate programme, with the agreement of patient/customer, parent and doctor. Mrs Skinner added that the counsellor would continue to monitor and support the customer throughout the programme, and would provide progress reports for the doctor.

The Cambridge Diet is the basic building block of a flexible range of weight management programmes, ranging from just over 400kcals per day up to 1,500kcals per day. The diet itself is a slimming food with assured nutritional content. Each programme offers individual monitoring, support and motivation from a trained and accredited counsellor. All patients/customers are encouraged to follow a stabilisation and maintenance regime to ensure long-term weight management. For the past four years, the company has operated a specific service for use in the primary care environment, in which selected counsellors, after additional training, work with health professionals to manage overweight and obese patients.

Cambridge Health Plan, Deben House, Old Kings Head Yard, Magdalen Street, Norwich NR3 1JE. Tel: 01603 760777.