According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one-third of American adults are obese. Obesity increases the risks of heart disease, diabetes and numerous other conditions. The connect between type 2 diabetes and obesity is particularly strong.
As a result of this, Dr. Osama Hamdy, medical director of the Obesity Clinical Program at Joslin Diabetes Center, advocates a modified diet and exercise with the primary objective of treating and preventing diabetes. All diet plans have the risk of side effects and you should always consult your doctor before you begin any restrictive diet.
Dr. Osama Hamdy's Background and Expertise
Dr. Osama Hamdy is regarded as an expert on the treatment and management of type 2 diabetes and believes that weight loss is the best approach. He also advocates a controlled diet and exercise program for individuals without diabetes as a preventative measure.
Along with his colleagues, Dr. Hamdy began the Why WAIT, or Weight Achievement and Intensive Treatment, Program which is designed to be a multidisciplinary approach to weight loss for diabetic patients. Hamdy's diet plan is designed to be implemented under the direction of doctors to provide support and guidance throughout the process.
Why WAIT Diet Guidelines and Enrollment
The diet promoted by the Why WAIT program features a protein intake towards the high end of the recommended spectrum, requiring that protein equal 20 to 30 percent of your daily caloric intake. Carbohydrates are restricted to 40 percent and fat intake is not to exceed 30 percent. The sources of these nutrients are restricted to foods that offer a high fiber content with a limited effect on blood glucose levels.
Hamdy's protocol also calls for regular exercise and other therapies based on the patient's individual needs. Since the weight loss program relies heavily on a multidisciplinary professional support system, it is not a simple diet that can be followed on your own or learned from a book. The Why WAIT Program is essentially a medical protocol rather than a common diet. The all-inclusive nature of the diet may make it less accessible and more expensive than some alternatives.
Currently, the 12-week Why Wait Program is only conducted at the Boston location of the Joslin Diabetes Center. The program includes medication adjustments, diet management, weekly education and an individualized exercise plan.
Effects of the Hamdy Diet
The Hamdy diet is designed for slow, healthy weight loss and is not a crash diet. The focus is on maintained behavior and lifestyle modification rather than rapid weight loss. Following the program's diet and exercise plan has been shown to maintain healthy blood pressure and control blood sugar in a series of studies. Patients have also reduced their dependence on medication.
Participants in the Hamdy diet experienced a reduction in their cardiovascular risk factors and lost an average of 24 pounds during the 12-week period. The patients also maintained an average weight loss of 7.6 percent for a year and a half following the study.
Jonathan Thompson - null
