MCW Physician Authors Dieting Book

When the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club celebrated its 50th anniversary by introducing a healthy lifestyle guide, it turned to Ahmed H. Kissebah, MD, PhD. Dr. Kissebah is professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Clinical Nutrition at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He practices at Froedtert Hospital.

Dr. Kissebah authored The Choice Is Yours: A Practical Guide to Take Off and Keep Off Pounds Sensibly. The standard exchange diet -- modified to meet the needs of individuals who want to control and/or maintain a healthy weight sensibly -- is explained in the book, along with other supportive lifestyle and exercise information. This is the first diet plan ever endorsed by TOPS Club, Inc., which is a leading non-profit weight-loss organization.

Dr. Kissebah is a leader in the study of obesity and its health risks and is medical adviser to TOPS. Contributing to the book are three other nationally recognized experts: Howard J. Rankin, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist and expert on compulsive behaviors; Anne Ruelle, RD, CDE, registered dietitian and educator; and Amy Goldwater, BS, physical fitness expert, educator and former body-building champion.

The TOPS book is divided into six sections: the Medical Perspective; Nutrition and Food Sources; Exercise and Physical Fitness; Lifestyle Choices and Healthy Behavior; Strategies for Special Needs; and a 28-step guide for beginning a comprehensive weight-control program.

One-third of the United States' population is overweight, and most quick-fix choices -- unusual diets and "miracle" drugs, for example -- are rarely successful, have limited and short-term results, and can even be dangerous.

Founded in 1948, TOPS is the oldest, international non-profit organization for people trying to lose weight and keep it off. Almost 240,000 TOPS members meet weekly in 11,000 chapters worldwide.

The Choice Is Yours is available only to TOPS members. Because TOPS is non-profit, annual dues are only $20 ($25 in Canada) accompanied by weekly dues of $.50 to $1. This allows members to take off pounds in a slow, healthy way without high costs.

For more information on a TOPS chapter in your area, call toll-free (800) 932-8677 (8 a.m. - 4 p.m. CST) or visit the Web site at www.tops.org.

For more information or to set up an appointment with the MCW's Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Clinical Nutrition, please call 414-456-6820.

MCW Health News presents up-to-date information on patient care and medical research by the physicians of the Medical College of Wisconsin.