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New Study to Compare Weight Loss Methods

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Edina (March 14, 2011)—In an innovative, multi-industry research effort, a medical network, a health company and a technology company are working together to study the effects of technology in motivating weight loss.

Fairview Physician Associates (FPA), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) and Philips DirectLife today announce the launch of a two-year Minnesota study to examine the effectiveness of three motivational weight-loss methods. The project will enroll up to 750 participants into one of three groups, each group using a different weight-loss approach:

- those receiving traditional one-to-one health coaching;
- those using a lifestyle program comprising an activity monitor and activity coaching; or
- a mix of those using both methods.

Study participants will engage in one or both of the following programs

• FPA’s CAN DO Healthy Lifestyle Program offers techniques and strategies to help clients achieve a healthy lifestyle based on sustainable changes to activity, appetite and attitude. Participants receive individual coaching in person, by phone or e-mail.

• Philips DirectLife’s Activity Monitor teaches participants to recognize and take advantage of calorie-burning opportunities. Individuals wear a durable, waterproof monitor to track calories associated with daily activity. Users track their calories via a Web site and receive live online activity coaching provided by Philips DirectLife.

Fighting an obesity epidemic

“Approximately 127 million or one in three people in the United States is overweight or obese,” says William Nersesian, M.D., M.H.A., FPA chief medical officer. “Obesity contributes to many major causes of illness and death in the U.S., so it's appropriate to intervene to help people lose weight."

Gregory Gilmet, M.D., M.P.H., chief medical officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, agrees. "This innovative effort looks at how different approaches to weight loss goals might work for different types of people. Obesity-related disease and illness take a tremendous toll, not just on quality of life, but on medical costs as well. Blue Cross recently released a study finding that if obesity trends go unchecked, treating adult obesity-related health conditions could cost Minnesotans more than $3.7 billion annually by 2020. So this new study is an important tactic in our array of strategies to drive improvements in health outcomes."

All study participants will be current Fairview clinic patients who also are Blue Cross members, and who have a body mass index (BMI) between 26 and 40. As a control, FPA researchers will review medical records and weight loss results from a fourth group of 100 people with similar health profiles, who may or may not be using their own weight management approach.


Edina-based Fairview Physician Associates (FPA) is a physician-led network of 1,200 independent, Fairview employed and University of Minnesota primary and specialty care providers. Learn more at fpanetwork.org.

A nonprofit, taxable organization, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.7 million members nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Learn more at bluecrossmn.com.

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity.” Learn more at Philips.com/DirectLife.