New to the University’s wide array of health services is the Office of Behavioral Health for Students’ (OBHS) Weight Watchers Turn Around program. Since Jan. 27 students have participated in meetings that will provide them with personal support in dealing with nutrition and weight issues.
“The new Weight Watchers program will be based on the principle of peer support,” said Dr. Philippa Coughlan, Director of OBHS and Adjunct Professor of Psychology. Members of the group will serve as advocates for one another other while receiving support.
So far 17 students are participating in the ten-week program.
According to Coughlan many students expressed interest for a group that could provide information about healthy eating and offer support through weight loss process.
“The new program is intended for any student who wants to responsibly address issues of healthy weight loss and maintenance,” Coughlan said.
Jen, who asked not to be identified with her last name, is a member of the new program. She hopes to learn how to reach a healthy weight for her height, and feel better about her appearance and health in general.
“I’ve felt overweight since middle and high school on and off,” she said. “It seemed like a good time to take action, particularly since it’s so convenient.”
The decision to specifically offer a Weight Watchers program had to do with the program’s reputation and effectiveness, according to Coughlan.
“It is the best of the batch,” she said. “They have the best record, at the moment, of people losing and maintaining weight loss.”
According to Coughlan Weight Watchers consistently researches their program and updates their materials and procedures according to the latest information.
The Weight Watchers diet involves a point system, in which each food has a point value and participants are allowed a certain number of points each day. Any kind of food is allowed, but the amount per day is limited.
“I like that it’s based on moderation, rather than cutting out some things entirely or maintaining unhealthy eating practices,” Jen said.
Other colleges, such as Pennsylvania State University and Providence College, have invited Weight Watchers to run programs on campus for their students. A few others have provided At Work programs that are open to their employees.
Offering the Weight Watchers program does not oblige the OBHS to a long-term commitment. After the program is finished, Wesleyan must re-invite Weight Watchers to continue. This means that the program is not permanently on campus and depends on student participation and feedback.
“I don’t think there’s a large demand [at Wesleyan], necessarily, but I think it is very important for anyone who has felt like they need guidance to lose weight,” Jen said. “Everyone involved is really glad that Wesleyan is running the program. The way Weight Watchers works makes the most sense for college students.”
College students participating in the program are not in the same living situation as most adults who choose Weight Watchers for weight management. However, for the most part, the Turn Around meetings will be the same program offered commercially with a slightly different approach.
“When they talk about issues that constitute difficulties for people maintaining prescribed food maintenance, they will take into account that students do not cook their own food, for the most part,” Coughlan said.
Since dining halls and food courts provide most of students’ meals, many were confused about how they would take control over what they ate. Students asked for a program that would address problems with weight loss because they did not want to engage in a program without the proper guidance and support.
“I think the program will benefit students who want to lose weight because they will learn healthy eating habits,” said Asli Sonceley ’08. “It’s hard to eat healthy foods when you’re main option is Mocon.”
Those interested in joining the program should contact Rebecca Gagnon at OBHS for more information.
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