Monthly Archives: January 2012

If you haven’t heard the term “health coach” by now, then consider yourself out of the loop. Worry not! Read on so you can be in-the-know…

According to our trusty friend, WikiPedia, Health Coaching is defined as:

“…a method of guiding others to address their health and, if need be, make behavioral changes to improve health. Like traditional coaching, health coaches utilize goal setting, identification of obstacles, and use of personal support systems. The relationship between the coach and coachee is an accountability partnership focused on the overall health outcome goals as defined by healthcare practitioners and the patient/coachee.”

Now for the good news – A study, funded by the U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and published in the New England Journal of Medicine last month, found that regular phone calls from a health coach helped obese patients drop 5 percent of their body weight and keep it off for two years! Researchers said this has been one of the most effective approaches yet.

In fact, 53 percent of people who received telephone, e-mail and website counseling lost the weight after six months, the study said.