“Lose Weight Healthily” youth weight-loss program begins in Klaipėda

On February 4th, the Youth-friendly Healthcare Service Coordination Center in Klaipėda began its “Lose Weight Healthily” weight-loss program for young people between the ages of 14 and 29.

The duration of the program is 2 months. During this time, specialists (public health specialists, dieticians, psychologists) have planned 8 meetings with youth to discuss the following topics: The basics of a healthy diet. How can we begin to eat healthily?; Evaluating your dietary habits. Why aren't the kilograms dropping?; Mindful eating. How do we avoid over-eating?; Diets. Myths and facts; How to maintain motivation during your changes; and How to maintain your weight loss. There was also time set aside to discuss questions about appearance and image (What is a truly beautiful person? What influence do advertisements have on our appearance? Are exterior things truly the most important?). Of course, the program will also address the topic of physical activity. The specialists will consult youth on how to begin exercising and how to select an appropriate physical load without hurting one's self. Several more meetings have been scheduled after 3 and 6 months, during which the program's participants will weigh themselves, discuss their new dietary habits, any difficulties they've encountered, etc.

The goal of the program is to help young overweight people understand what a healthy lifestyle is, how they should eat without hurting their bodies, what sorts of food products they should choose so they wouldn't become extra kilograms, etc. Those who have agreed to participate in the program will implement the knowledge they receive during the lectures and discussions practically (they will be given homework): they will choose healthier food products, learn to count calories, fill out dietary self-control journals, measure their hunger/satisfaction scale, etc.