Hastings Hospital’s HELP Clinic starts healthy eating group
By Jami Custer
Staff Writer
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. –The Healthy Eating for Life Program at Cherokee Nation W.W. Hastings Hospital implemented its healthy eating support group on June 16 at the hospital.
Registered nurse Maggie Parker said the group came about because many people who attempt to lose weight are not as successful as those with solid support systems.
“We know that information is power, so we are hoping to educate and empower our people to eat healthy, exercise and be encouraged,” she said. “There are many benefits to attending support groups. People need people, we were made that way.”
Parker said the group provides benefits to its members by hearing from others who have similar problems, celebrating positive changes in each others lives and providing motivation.
“We, also hope to have fun with this group. There will be speakers who will present new and interesting ideas from many different disciplines,” she said. “We will also give door prizes, have a time for question and answers at each meeting, as well as a time our participants can share their experiences with one another.”
Overall, the more support people receive while trying to lose weight, the more likely they are to succeed in achieving and maintaining weight loss,” Parker said.
She said the support group also stresses confidentiality so members can safely share stories.
“Confidentiality is the anchor of mutual support,” she said. “An environment of trust and safety allows group members to share more deeply with others.”
Obesity is a risk factor for chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and sleep disorders. According to the HELP, the goal is to provide clients with a program that will foster lifelong behavior change and ultimately prevent the effects of many chronic diseases.
The support group grew out of the HELP clinic, which is a multidisciplinary weight loss program with the goal of offering clients the tools they need to overcome obesity.
The requirements for entering the program are willingness to change, a desire to be healthier and a commitment to bi-monthly hospital visits. The visits consist of educational sessions, weigh-ins and reviews of food and exercise logs.
The participant’s progress is watched by a physician who helps with decisions on weight loss options, which can include diet modifications, exercise promotion, pharmacological therapy and bariatric surgery.
“For those individuals who have tried many different ways to loose weight and have been unsuccessful, it may be possible for the patient to qualify for surgical intervention,” Parker said. “This is a process and the patient must meet strict surgical criteria.”
The support group meets at 6 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month in dining room A at Hastings. It is open to any Native American or CN employees.