Contact: Beth B. Wright
615-769-7118

Skyline Medical Center Offering Two Weight Watchers Program

NASHVILLE, TN.   March 7, 2006.  Obesity has fast become one of the nation's number one health problems.  In fact, obesity is now predicted to shorten the average lifespan of 77.6 years by 2-5 years.  That's according to a study recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

People who want to do something about their weight problem (before swimsuit season!) have an excellent option at Skyline Medical Center.  The hospital is offering two on-site Weight Watchers programs – one at lunch and another at dinner -- beginning in March.  The evening class will begin on Monday, March 20, at 5:45 p.m.  The lunch program will begin on Wednesday, March 22, at 12 Noon.  Both programs, which will last for ten weeks, will meet in the hospital’s Auditorium A.

For more information or to register, people may contact TriStar MedLine(SM) at 342-1919 or 1-800-242-5662.

A study released last year showed that of the most popular commercial weight-loss programs in the country, only Weight Watchers has scientific proof that it is successful in helping people lose weight and keep it off. And in a second study, more dieters were able to stick to Weight Watchers over a year's time than two other diets.

Weight Watcher's TurnAround Program now has two food plans to choose from - the Flex Plan and a new Core Plan program that doesn't involve counting points. The Flex Plan allows participants to eat anything they want as long as they stay within their daily points allowance. The newer no-counting Core Plan allows participants to choose from a list of nutritious foods, but they don't have to count points.

Located at 3441 Dickerson Pike on the highest point in Davidson County, Skyline offers a full range of services for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of heart disease, including programs to help people lose weight and quit smoking.  Skyline was among the nation’s first hospitals to earn Chest Pain Center accreditation from the National Society of Chest Pain Center Providers and Physicians.  Skyline was the first hospital in Tennessee to earn "Primary Stroke Center" certification from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.  In addition to its nationally recognized cardiology and neuroscience services, Skyline is also known for its oncology, orthopaedics, rehabilitation and emergency services.  Part of the TriStar Family of Hospitals, Skyline is located on a 59-acre campus which is also home to the 200,000 square-foot Skyline Medical Plaza, providing convenient access to physician offices and a pharmacy.

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