Scranton Times Tribune
Lose weight through acupuncture? . . . maybe

BY MARY JO FELDSTEIN / STAFF WRITER - 07/26/2003

Since the 1980s, the number of obese American adults has doubled to 38.8 million, while the ranks of overweight youths have tripled to nearly 9 million, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Traditional approaches to weight loss do not work for everyone. So Northeastern Pennsylvanians are being offered a nontraditional approach.

The Center for Integrative Medicine at Inner Harmony Wellness Center, Clarks Summit, has received a $20,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health to create a weight loss program that combines healthy eating, exercise and more innovative methods, like acupuncture and guided imagery.

Inner Harmony's grant is aimed at helping people who meet the federal guidelines for obesity but do not have insurance coverage or income to pay for weight loss programs.

For three months, at least 20 people will sit for weekly 1hour sessions that will attempt to motivate them to change their behaviors as well as lose weight.

"They know they should be dieting, and they know they should be exercising five days a week, but there's something that's getting in their way," said Kristin D. Stiles, a doctor of naturopathic medicine at the center.

Blending clinical and behavioral approaches to weight loss is crucial for the staff at Inner Harmony.

"That is actually a very important part of the organization," said Cynthia Timko, chief operating officer. "It's always been mind, body, spirit."

Ms. Stiles and Michelle Bernotsky, a registered nurse with the state health department, said family and psychological factors can also inhibit weight loss.

Participants in the program could find themselves one week visualizing closing the refrigerator door or enjoying healthy food. Another week they might be learning about what methods Chinese medicine would use in promoting weight loss.

Their constant focus, however, will be on diet and exercise. Several tests, including blood pressure and cholesterol, will be administered at the beginning and end of the 12-week program.

Monitoring will continue for another nine months to make sure participants are continuing to shed pounds after the sessions finish. A relaxing surprise will be given to those who stay close to their goal weight.

To demonstrate their commitment to the program, participants will be required to sign papers promising to maintain other participants' confidentiality, Ms. Timko said.

Inner Harmony received the grant with the help of the Healthy Northeast Pennsylvania Initiative, which frequently acts as a liaison between local health care organizations and the state.

Steven J. Szydlowski, executive director of Healthy Northeast, said the state health department was particularly interested in the Inner Harmony proposal because it satisfied many guidelines of Healthy 2010, a nationwide initiative to make Americans healthier by the end of the decade.

mfeldstein