Program tailored to suit needs
17 Jul, 2010 10:30 AM
VIOLET Wasson has little time for weight-loss marketing.
The natural health practitioner said the weight-loss industry gave people unrealistic and unsustainable solutions.
"The idea that one particular weight-loss system can work for everyone is ridiculous,'' she said.
Mrs Wasson, 41, said that at her Sutherland practice she looked for signs and symptoms in clients, often referring them for medical tests.
"You have to look at why a person is putting on weight,'' she said.
"It may require pathology tests, or looking at their thyroid function, hormone balance or insulin resistance.
"There's no point in selling a whole bunch of supplements if you can't find the underlying reasons for weight gain."
Mrs Wasson said the rapid rise in the number of Australians suffering from type 2 diabetes was of great concern.
"This is largely a lifestyle-related disease that can be controlled,'' she said.
She also called on the federal government to change the way Medicare funded tests that could identify potentially harmful medical conditions.
"Medicare needs to start funding tests that identify insulin resistance,'' she said.