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The
first professional, unbiased and fully monitored
weight-loss website is to go on trial across
Leeds, thanks to University research.
"Other
websites claim to help you diet,” said
lead researcher and dietitian Dr Sara Kirk.
“However, most are trying to sell you
a product, and aren’t monitored or evaluated,
so we have no idea whether they really work.
We need to monitor, so we can refer patients
back to GPs if we see a dangerous level of
weight loss. The site will be evaluated and,
if successful, could help reduce GP consultation
times and make obesity treatment more accessible.”
Each
user can personalise the site, logging goals,
and weight loss, to see their progression.
The site offers recipes and meal planners,
email an expert, and a chat room and message
board to ‘talk’ to fellow dieters.
“This support is vital,” said Dr
Kirk. “With the site always accessible,
if someone feels demoralised or tempted to
binge, they can log on to get help.”
Of
the 180 participants to be recruited through
GP surgeries in Leeds for the website trial,
all will have access to doctors, but half
will also use the website. However, those
not using the site will still be making a
major contribution to the trial, in the hope
that, if successful, the service will be made
available to all.
The
project is funded by the PPP Foundation. For
more details, contact Sara Kirk on ext 36990,
email hsssflk@leeds.ac.uk
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