Obesity is a pervasive health concern in the United States, significantly contributing to mortality, disability, and escalating healthcare costs. More than 70% of the American population is categorized as overweight or obese. It is a complex, chronic, and relapsing disease driven by hormonal and metabolic factors, impacting nearly every system in the body. The University of Kansas (KU) Health System in Kansas City addresses this critical issue through its comprehensive weight loss clinic, offering a multidisciplinary approach to evaluation and treatment.
The Division of Physical Activity & Weight Management
The Division of Physical Activity & Weight Management is a broad-based initiative that provides research, education, and clinical programs throughout Kansas and Missouri. The primary mission is the promotion of physical activity and nutrition across the lifespan.
Comprehensive Care Team
The KU Weight Loss Clinic boasts an interdisciplinary team of experts specializing in obesity medicine. This team includes:
- Physicians specializing in obesity medicine
- Surgeons specializing in obesity medicine
- Registered dietitians
- Psychologists
- Nationally recognized obesity and weight management research specialists
This collaborative approach ensures patients receive well-rounded care, addressing the multifaceted nature of obesity. The team works closely with specialists throughout The University of Kansas Health System to help patients manage obesity.
Who Can Benefit?
While weight loss can benefit many adults, individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher are particularly suitable candidates for obesity treatment. A referral from a primary care provider or specialist is recommended, as treating obesity can significantly improve overall health and alleviate symptoms of related conditions.
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Understanding the Complexity of Obesity
Obesity is not simply a matter of willpower. It is a complex disease influenced by a variety of factors, including:
- Genetics
- Pharmacotherapy
- Stress levels
- Sleep patterns
- Related health conditions
- Environment
- Activity level and ability
- Nutrition availability
- Nutrition control
Recognizing the multifaceted nature of obesity is crucial for developing effective and sustainable treatment plans. It is a chronic disease with no cure currently.
Health Benefits of Weight Loss
Weight loss can lead to significant improvements in over 100 medical and psychological obesity-related complications. Addressing obesity can prevent the onset or progression of numerous conditions, including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- At least 13 different types of cancer
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Connective tissue disease
- Asthma
- Infertility
- Depression
- Disordered eating
While obesity treatments carry potential risks, these are generally considered lower than the risks associated with continuing to live with obesity. However, it's crucial to carefully consider the specific risks associated with each weight-loss activity.
Individualized Treatment Plans
The KU Weight Loss Clinic emphasizes personalized care. The clinic partners closely with patients and their families to develop tailored treatment plans that meet their individual needs and health and wellness goals. This involves collaborative efforts to understand and address any challenges the patient may be facing.
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Weight Management Programs Offered
The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City offers a comprehensive, evidence-based, weight management meal replacement program. At The University of Kansas Health System, dietary needs can be addressed with specific meal replacement plans. Several programs are available, including:
1. 5-3-2-1 Program
The weight management meal replacement program, also called the 5-3-2-1 Plan, is a partnership between Weight Management at The University of Kansas Health System and the University of Kansas Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management. This program is structured around nutrition, activity, and lifestyle changes to support lasting success, backed by over 30 years of research.
Nutrition Plan:
- 5 Servings of fruits & vegetables
- 3 Meal replacement shakes
- 2 Protein bars
- 1 Nutritious meal
Activity Plan:
Designed to meet you where you are, our program helps you build regular activity habits. The goal is to gradually increase activity to 150+ minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, like brisk walking, with tools and support to sustain an active lifestyle.
Lifestyle Plan:
Weekly group sessions and self-monitoring with a trained health educator provides accountability, motivation, and skill-building. The weekly group classes are offered through Zoom on several days and times each week.
The 5-3-2-1 Plan has two phases. The first 6 months of the program is phase 1. During this time, patients participating in the program often lose 10% of their weight in the first 10 weeks and achieve an average of 15% weight loss by the end of the 6 months. At least 75% of our program graduates maintain 5% of their weight loss several years after program completion. Each person’s program may look different, based on your needs and goals. Once weight loss is achieved, patients can choose to enter phase 2, the maintenance phase, for continued support and education to help sustain their health benefits.
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2. Lifestyle Maintenance
Our Lifestyle Maintenance program provides long-term support for sustainable lifestyle changes following engagement in one of our weight loss programs. Your nutrition and activity plan will be flexible to meet your needs. You’ll continue to focus on a foundation of fruits and vegetables with balanced protein, carbohydrates, and heart-healthy fats. In addition, continue to work towards150+ minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
There are 4 group education sessions delivered on zoom each month that you can attend.
This program provides long-term support for maintaining a healthy lifestyle after completing one of the weight loss programs. It emphasizes a foundation of fruits, vegetables, balanced protein, carbohydrates, and heart-healthy fats, along with continued efforts to achieve 150+ minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
3. 1-on-1 Nutrition Counseling
We offer individualized nutrition counseling with a licensed registered dietitian to provide specialized recommendations or dietary modifications. Nutrition counseling is an option to utilize either alone or in addition to our 5-3-2-1 and Lifestyle Maintenance programs. Nutrition counseling is a valuable option for those in need of one-on-one support for weight management or those with specialized (e.g. vegetarian, gluten-free) nutrition considerations.
Nutrition counseling is an insurance based and includes participation in the KU Health System weight management clinic. To participate in this program, you will need a medical referral to meet with one of the weight management physicians prior to starting. Appointments are available in the Weight Mgmnt clinic on the KUMC campus or on telehealth.
For individuals needing personalized guidance, the clinic offers one-on-one nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian. This service is ideal for those seeking specialized recommendations or dietary modifications, whether as a standalone option or in conjunction with the 5-3-2-1 and Lifestyle Maintenance programs.
Medically Monitored Very-Low Calorie Diet (VLCD)
Very Low-Calorie (VLCD) is a medically monitored, liquid only diet that consists of 5+ portion control shakes/soups per day. The shakes/soups are designed to provide the nutrition your body needs during this program. Participation in VLCD requires physician clearance and ongoing medical monitoring.
This program involves a medically supervised, liquid-only diet consisting of portion-controlled shakes and soups designed to meet the body's nutritional needs. Physician clearance and ongoing medical monitoring are essential for participation in this program.
Additional Programs
- Cooking with Cray: Enjoy your meals more - and achieve your blood sugar goals - with cooking demos from Cooking with Cray. Content includes mindful eating, stimulus control, meal planning and more. This is for patients with a BMI of 30 or greater.
The Weight Control Research Program (WCRP)
Formally known as the KU Weight control research Project (WCRP), the KU Weight Management Program has been helping people lose weight for over 30 years. The Weight Control Research Program has two divisions:
- ClinicalThis includes weight loss and weight maintenance programs that are developed by research, a licensed MD and a registered dietitian
- ResearchExternally funded projects by awarded funds from various grantsView our current studies to see if you qualify for one of our research weight loss opportunities at Current Studies
For clinical and research programs we use an all- inclusive approach to address all aspects of weight loss and weight maintenance. These methods include nutrition, physical activity and behavior change. We approach weight management as a lifestyle change.
Program HistoryThe Weight Control Research Program (WCRP) started at the University of Nebraska - Kearny 30 years ago and transferred to the University of Kansas in 1997. The WCRP researches dietary, behavior, and exercise-based strategies and their effects on long term weight management.
In 2003 the clinical weight management program was created. This is a for fee service to serve individuals who do not qualify to participate in intensive research studies and is known as the KU Weight Management Program.
For over 30 years, the KU Weight Management Program, previously known as the KU Weight Control Research Project (WCRP), has been dedicated to helping individuals achieve weight loss. The WCRP comprises two divisions:
- Clinical: Focuses on weight loss and maintenance programs developed through research and overseen by a licensed MD and registered dietitian.
- Research: Conducts externally funded projects through grants.
Both clinical and research programs employ an all-inclusive approach, addressing nutrition, physical activity, and behavior change to promote weight management as a lifestyle change.
Research Opportunities
About 30% of our patients participate in research studies through the University of Kansas Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management.
Patients have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials through the research team. To explore current research opportunities, visit Current Studies.
The Energy Balance Laboratory (EBL)
The Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management was created in 2000 with the establishment of The Energy Balance Laboratory (EBL) located in Robinson Center on the Lawrence Campus. The Center opened a second facility located at The University of Kansas Medical Center in 2012 and occupies space located in the Kirmayer Fitness Facility.