19 September 2012

Though numerous destination spas periodically offer weight loss retreats and health & fitness programs, few resorts cater exclusively to obese guests by providing year-round, high-intensity weight loss programs. Despite recording RevPAR well above the national average, the U.S. weight loss resort market segment is surprisingly undersupplied. Currently, the roughly 70 million obese adults in America have only five true weight loss resorts with 360 guest rooms to choose from. This disproportion bodes well for the future of the weight loss resort industry, which currently offers only one brand: Biggest Loser Resort.

Destination spas versus weight-loss resorts

Two types of resorts cater specifically to guests interested in weight loss: destination spas and weight loss resorts.

Destination spas are hotel facilities primarily designed to encourage healthy habits to their guests. Over a seven-day stay, these facilities provide a comprehensive program that includes spa services, physical fitness activities, wellness education, healthy cuisine and special interest programming. Destination spas host the majority of the weight-loss programs offered in the U.S. These spas offer the latest in food, fitness and spa services, and they have a low guest-to-staff ratio. Nutritious, low-calorie meals and fitness classes are available, but the guests choose how much to eat and in which classes they wish to participate. Because each guest determines his or her level of participation, the weight-loss programs offered at destination spas lack the level of camaraderie experienced at more structured weight-loss resorts.

The following table lists destination spas in the U.S. that offer weight loss programs. Because nearly all weight-loss programs are sold as plan packages, we show the average weekly published price, which includes three daily meals, fitness programs and education. We also show the equivalent daily price.

With one exception, all of the destination spas listed are independent properties. Canyon Ranch, an established resort brand that focuses on health and wellness, is the only multiple location destination spa brand. Canyon Ranch operates three U.S. resorts in Lenox, Massachusetts; Tucson, Arizona; and Miami Beach, Florida. Additionally, Canyon Ranch operates several SpaClub locations with day spa facilities, fitness classes and workout facilities. These are located at The Venetian and The Palazzo hotels in Las Vegas and on various cruise ships.

Modern Weight-loss resorts evolved from the 1950s-era camps that were commonly referred to as "fat farms." Geared toward wealthy women, these grueling programs combined extremely low calorie diets and excessive vigorous exercise to produce rapid weight loss. Instead of temporary fast results, today's resorts are designed to provide long-term nutrition and lifestyle tools. Programs range from a few days to more than eight weeks, with one to three week stays being the norm. Although guests experience some weight loss during their stay, the primary goal at most weight-loss resorts is long-term fitness. Programs at these resorts not only focus on weight loss but also on changing behavior to ensure that sustained weight loss occurs after guests return home. Some guests complain their lack of will power prevents them from following programs that allow them to choose their level of participation, such as those offered at many destination spas. In such cases, the highly structured programs at weight-loss resorts are preferred because of their strict regimentation and the camaraderie of fellow participants keeping them on track.

The following table lists weight-loss resorts in the U.S. We show the average weekly published price inclusive of three daily meals, fitness programs and education. We also show the equivalent daily price.

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Weight Loss Resorts Are A Boon for Developers | By David J. Sangree and Laurel A. Keller

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Shares of weight loss drugmaker Vivus Inc. rose Monday after the company announced its highly anticipated pill Qsymia is now available in the U.S.

THE SPARK: The company said in a regulatory filing that the anti-obesity pill is now available in the U.S. and launched a website for doctors and patients.

THE BIG PICTURE: The announcement puts Vivus in front of rival drugmaker Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the race to begin marketing the first new prescription weight loss medication in over a decade. Arena plans to begin marketing its drug in early 2013.

Arena Pharmaceuticals and Vivus received federal approval for their anti-obesity pills in June and July, respectively. Previously the Food and Drug Administration had not approved a new prescription weight loss drug since 1999.

A third California drugmaker, Orexigen, is still running clinical trials of its product, and is working toward an FDA approval date in 2014.

Vivus' Qsymia is generally considered the most effective of the three weight loss drugs, with patients losing 6.7 percent of their body weight in one study and 8.9 percent in another study.

Arena's studies show that Belviq, known generically as lorcaserin, is associated with modest weight loss. On average patients lost just 3 to 3.7 percent of their starting body weight over a year.

SHARE ACTION: Shares of Mountain View, Calif.-based Vivus rose 85 cents, or 3.9 percent, to close at $22.93 in trading Monday. Over the past year, shares have traded between $19.09 and $38.33.

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Vivus shares rise after weight loss drug launch

Public release date: 17-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Kim Barnhardt kim.barnhardt@cmaj.ca 613-520-7116 x2224 Canadian Medical Association Journal

Adequate sleep is an important part of a weight loss plan and should be added to the recommended mix of diet and exercise, states a commentary in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Although calorie restriction and increased physical activity are recommended for weight loss, there is significant evidence that inadequate sleep is contributing to obesity. Lack of sleep increases the stimulus to consume more food and increases appetite-regulating hormones.

"The solution [to weight loss] is not as simple as 'eat less, move more, sleep more,'" write Drs. Jean-Phillippe Chaput, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario and Angelo Tremblay, Laval University, Qubec, Quebec. "However, an accumulating body of evidence suggests that sleeping habits should not be overlooked when prescribing a weight-reduction program to a patient with obesity. Sleep should be included as part of the lifestyle package that traditionally has focused on diet and physical activity."

The authors' recently published research found that total sleep time and quality of sleep predicted the loss of fat in people enrolled in a weight loss program.

The Canadian Obesity Network has included adequate sleep in its new set of obesity management tools for physicians.

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

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Adequate sleep helps weight loss

By CARL HESSLER Jr. chessler@journalregister.com

COURTHOUSE A former Penn Valley weight loss doctor showed no emotion as a jury convicted him of groping or sexually assaulting five female patients.

Dr. Arie Oren, 66, who operated his Conshohocken Weight Control office in the 100 block of West Third Avenue, was convicted Thursday in Montgomery County Court of four counts of aggravated indecent assault and five counts of indecent assault in connection with the inappropriate contact he had with five women between 2008 and 2010.

These patients all went to him because they wanted help in losing weight. They put their faith and they put their trust in this doctor and he violated and betrayed that trust in the worst way you can imagine, said Assistant District Attorney Jordan Friter, adding the women were searching for quality medical care and instead were violated.

They get isolated alone in an examination room with this guy and he gets them on his examination table and theyre defenseless at that point. He starts to touch them inappropriately and theyre just overcome with fear at that point, Friter added.

Defense lawyers David A. Tornetta and J. David Farrell declined to comment about the verdict.

Oren, of the 500 block of Fairview Road, Lower Merion, did not respond to a reporters questions as he was led from the courtroom in handcuffs for the trip to the county jail.

The victims were not in the courtroom for the verdict.

This has been a long time coming for them. All theyve wanted from the beginning is for this man to be brought to justice. I think theyll be very relieved and very happy to hear the news, said Friter, referring to the victims.

Oren faces a possible maximum sentence of 25-to-50-years in prison on the charges. Friter, who was assisted by co-prosecutor Noah Marlier, vowed to seek a lengthy state prison sentence against Oren. Continued...

Continued here:
Lower Merion weight-loss doctor Arie Oren found guilty of groping patients (with Video)

Expressing disgust, embarrassment and shock, several women confronted their former weight loss doctor in court, testifying he groped or sexually assaulted them during their visits to his Conshohocken office.

I was in shock. I couldnt believe that just happened. It was weird, it was like the Twilight Zone or something, one woman testified Tuesday in Montgomery County Court, recalling her Nov. 10, 2010 visit to Dr. Arie Orens Conshohocken Weight Control office in the 100 block of West Third Avenue.

The woman, who was 24 at the time of the alleged incident, told a jury that Oren, 66, of the 500 block of Fairview Road, Lower Merion, made sexually suggestive comments to her as he used a massager on her body, under the premise of breaking up fat, and touched her inappropriately and sexually assaulted her with the massager and his hand. Oren allegedly suggested to the woman that sexual activity burns 200 calories.

Oren, the woman testified, then grabbed her hand and placed it briefly on his genital area and said, Well, if you need a man, Im a man.

The woman testified she was uncomfortable with Orens conduct, abruptly ended the exam and quickly dressed. Oren, according to the woman, then asked her if that was too much for the first visit.

I said, Yeah, thats way too much,' the woman testified for Assistant District Attorney Jordan Friter, adding she was totally disgusted.

The woman testified Oren then told her, The visit is on the house because youre so hot. Oren tried to kiss the woman as she left the office but the woman pushed his face away from her, testimony revealed. Oren is charged with aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault in connection with alleged incidents that occurred with five women between 2008 and 2010. Authorities said Oren operated the business for about 10 years.

Oren faces a possible sentence of 25 to 50-years in prison if hes convicted of all the charges at trial.

The alleged victims were between 24 and 59 years of age and resided throughout Montgomery County, authorities said.

Oren, represented by defense lawyers J. David Farrell and David A. Tornetta, showed no emotion during the testimony of the women. Continued...

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Conshohocken weight loss doctor on trial for sexually assaulting patients

MERIDIAN, Idaho, Sept. 16, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Healthy Habits Wellness Clinic announced that the Meridian weight loss center now offers Botox injections and Lipo-PLUS fat burning injections. Lipo-PLUS fat burning injections are a unique combination of amino acids, Vitamin B and Vitamin C that can help patients burn fat and boost energy levels. Weight loss patients may also take advantage of the clinic's new Botox treatments. According to the wellness center, Botox injections are now being offered so patients could look as young as they feel on the inside.

Meridian patients can now receive Botox injections and Lipo-PLUS fat burning treatments at Healthy Habits Wellness Clinic. The weight loss center in Meridian recently added these treatments to complement the existing medical weight loss program.

Lipo-PLUS injections are a specially-formulated combination of amino acids, Vitamin C and B Vitamins that help kick-start a patient's metabolism for fast weight loss. According to chiropractor Dr. Kimball Lundahl and the center's medical provider, Mari Aitken, FNP, these injections help patients safely lose weight by burning fat.

"Lipo-PLUS injects are an important complement to our existing Meridian assisted weight loss program," said Mari Aitken, FNP. "These injections can help patients successfully lose weight and keep the pounds off. After a successful assisted weight loss program, our patients want to look as young as they feel inside. That's why we are excited to announce that our clinic now offers Botox injections."

According to Botox Cosmetic, over 11 million Botox procedures have been performed worldwide since the treatment was first introduced in 2004. The Healthy Habits Wellness Clinic team is specially trained to administer these procedures to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

"Patients love how Botox enhances their natural beauty, turning back the clock without leaving patients looking like they had substantial work done," said Aitken. "Botox administration is both an art and a science, and our wellness center knows how to make sure patients look as great as they feel."

The wellness center also offers bio-identical hormone replacement therapy treatment. This program may help patients suffering from a thyroid disorder. According to Aitken, a thyroid disorder can prevent the body from properly metabolizing fat and losing weight.

"If a patient has tried but failed to lose weight, an underlying health issue, such as a thyroid disorder, may be the real problem," said Aitken. "Many patients benefit from a combination of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and our Lipo-PLUS treatments. Together, these treatments help kick-start the metabolism for rapid weight loss."

Dr. Lundahl says that the new services were added to make it easier for busy patients to receive needed treatments.

"Offering these services in one place makes it is easy and convenient for patients to receive the care they deserve without the hassle of visiting multiple clinics or doctors," said Dr. Lundahl.

Read the rest here:
Meridian Weight Loss Center Announces Botox and Lipo-PLUS Treatments

"Cinnamon" to Perform at Taste of Brunswick "Cinnamon" to Perform at Taste of Brunswick

Updated: Friday, September 14 2012 3:36 PM EDT2012-09-14 19:36:02 GMT

All week we've been featuring some of the food of the "Taste of Brunswick" event. But Saturday's event is also about music. The band "Cinnamon" will be adding a little spice.

All week we've been featuring some of the food of the "Taste of Brunswick" event. But Saturday's event is also about music. The band "Cinnamon" will be adding a little spice.

Updated: Friday, September 14 2012 3:24 PM EDT2012-09-14 19:24:00 GMT

Football season has kicked off, and with football also comes tailgating! Danielle Salvetti with BJ's Wholesale Club is here with some tailgating tips and some grill recipe ideas.

Football season has kicked off, and with football also comes tailgating! Danielle Salvetti with BJ's Wholesale Club is here with some tailgating tips and some grill recipe ideas.

Updated: Friday, September 14 2012 12:09 PM EDT2012-09-14 16:09:38 GMT

We're putting our community spotlight on a unique event to benefit Camp Sunshine. It's the first ever Maine Suitcase Party.

We're putting our community spotlight on a unique event to benefit Camp Sunshine. It's the first ever Maine Suitcase Party.

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Fighting Unhealthy Fat: A Weight Loss Success Story