The Central Ohio Nutrition Center, Inc. (CONCI) is a team of health professionals providing excellent, state-of-the-art care for overweight and obese individuals. Since 1979 the staff has been helping patients lose weight and maintain their weight losses. Many patients seek treatment through word-of-mouth or physician referral. Many patients who are referred by physicians have medical problems such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, joint pain, high cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. These medical problems can often times improve by weight loss and weight management. The health professionals of the nutrition center include physicians who are trained in nutrition and weight management. The registered licensed dietitians have special training in obesity and some have advanced degrees.

Among one of the most popular options is a program called OPTIFAST . OPTIFAST has been used for over 30 years and is very highly researched and well known. A patient on this program would consume 5 OPTIFAST supplements per day. OPTIFAST is the patient's food source and it provides all the nutrition needed during the weight loss phase. The average weight loss for women on this program is 35-50 pounds in a three month period and for men it is 50-90 pounds in that same time frame. Patients on this program are required to have a physical examination before starting and are followed weekly by the medical staff. For some patients this program provides structure, simplicity, and a decrease in appetite.

Another option is the OPTITRIM Program, which consists of part-food and part-OPTIFAST . The OPTITRIM program usually includes 4 OPTIFAST supplements per day and an evening meal. This evening meal may be self-prepared or use select frozen entrées purchased from a supermarket.

The nutrition center has also been using anti-obesity medications since 1993. The medical staff is extremely knowledgeable in their use and has participated in research of these medications for the past 8 years. The three prescription medications used are XENICAL , MERIDIA , and phentermine. Some patients use them for help with long-term weight maintenance along with behavior modification and an increase in physical activity.

Weight maintenance classes are offered at the center following weight loss. These classes are designed to help motivate, educate, and reinforce the skills necessary to keep the weight off. "Staying on Track" is the ongoing maintenance class to help patients deal with crisis and how it might affect their weight and eating habits. This is to help prevent weight regain.

CONCI also offers individual counseling for children and adolescents. "Scale Down Kids" is a program offered to adolescents aged 8 through 18 years of age to help them manage their weight and develop good eating and exercise habits. The registered dietitians also do private counseling for other nutritional concerns such as gestational diabetes, high cholesterol, and eating disorders.

Richard Lutes, MD. and Judy F. Loper, PhD., RD are members of NAASO (North American Association of the Study of Obesity). The research CONCI has conducted has been presented at various NAASO meetings both at a National and International level. In addition Edward J. Baltes, MD. is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians and has participated in their continuing educations programs. Continuing education for all health professionals is an important part of their ongoing expertise.