Behavior change is more than a New Year’s Resolution. It’s a process! Without information and support, it’s difficult. Your clients can be successful when you connect them with evidence-based information and group support, all neatly packaged in the turn-key LifeSteps® program.
Watch these videos to find out how LifeSteps® can change your clients’ lives and benefit your practice.
Those of us who have taught LifeSteps® know the program works!
Our participants know the program works!
And now, we have published data that shows LifeSteps® works!
The study was published in the July/September 2018 Topics in Clinical Nutrition: “Impact of the LIFESTEPS Weight Management Program on measures of adiposity, self-efficacy, and lifestyle behaviors” by Woolf, Kathleen, PhD, RDN, FACSM; Heller, Jenna E.,MS, RDN; et al.
The study evaluated measures of adiposity, self-efficacy, and lifestyle behavior in 1592 participants from 13 states enrolled in LifeSteps®.
Special thanks to Kathleen Woolf, PhD, RDN, FACSM. Dr. Woolf is an associate professor and director of the nutrition PhD program at New York University; and previously an associate professor in the Health Sciences department at Arizona State University.
LifeSteps® is a behaviorally-based lifestyle change program that can enhance your practice. Click here to learn more about LifeSteps®.
Results:
Measures of Adiposity
Mean weight, BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height decreased significantly between the initial and final assessments for those completing the LifeSteps® program.
Adiposity Measure
Initial
Final
Mean Weight
98.2 ± 23.3 kg
95.0 ± 23.0 kg, p<0.001
BMI
35.7 ± 7.5 kg/m2
34.5 ± 7.5 kg/m2, p<0.001
Waist Circumference
108.8 ± 15.3 cm
104.7 ± 15.1 cm, p<0.001
Waist-to-height ratio
0.66 ± 0.09
.63.0 ± .09 , p<0.001
Measures of Self-Efficacy
Participants reported greater self-efficacy for weight management and physical activity upon completion of the program and self-efficacy was positively associated with percent weight-change.
Self-Efficacy
Initial Score
Final Score
For Weight Management
12.9 ± 3.1
14.0 ± 3.1, p<0.001
For Physical Activity
13.5 ± 3.3
14.1 ± 3.4, p<0.001
Lifestyle Behaviors Most Helpful for Weight Loss
After completing LifeSteps®, 754 participants completed the post-assessment questionnaire and identified three behavior strategies most helpful for weight management from a potential list of 15. Responses were analyzed for three groups based on the amount of weight lost. The top five selected overall were ‘keep food records’ (n=480 [63.7%]), ‘measure serving sizes’ (n=303 [40.2%]), ‘do aerobic exercise’ (n=300 [39.8%]), ‘record calories’ (n=297 [39.4%]), and ‘eat a variety of foods’ (n=192 [25.5%]).
Top Three Helpful Lifestyle Changes for Weight Loss
If you’re not teaching LifeSteps®, you’re missing out on a valuable tool. Find out how this program can help you boost your business, and help your clients change their lives.
Behavior modification. It’s a familiar term and for decades it’s been shown to be effective in changing behaviors to improve health outcomes. Two recent research articles reinforce this concept.
RDN Research
The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recently published a review article examining 69 research studies that examined lifestyle diabetes prevention interventions. 1 The authors were also interested in comparing effects of interventions delivered by registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) to non-dietitians. Most of the studies examined included interventions for both dietary and physical activity behaviors. Not only were lifestyle interventions effective in weight loss and improved glucose parameters, but interventions delivered by RDNs realized greater weight losses.
Recommendations
In 2012, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended physicians “refer patients with a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher to intensive, multicomponent behavioral interventions.”2 This recommendation is related specifically to the management of obesity.
New recommendations from the USPSTF3 expand the scope of benefit of behavioral interventions to include cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. The report indicates, “counseling interventions result in improvements in healthful behaviors and small but potentially important improvements in intermediate outcomes, including reductions in blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and improvements in measures of adiposity.”3 These benefits are also seen in patients who do not exhibit risk factors of CVD, showing that behavioral interventions can improve health outcomes for a wider population of patients.
LifeSteps® fits these recs
LifeSteps® is a comprehensive, cognitive-behavioral weight management program with a proven track record of participant success. These research studies help to show why LifeSteps® has been successful for over 30 years. LifeSteps® Leaders provide high-quality behavioral intervention using an established curriculum that not only delivers the necessary education on nutrition and physical activity, it also provides skill building activities that guides participants in personal lifestyle change. Participants see results. They learn to make small changes that add up to health benefits for a lifetime.
We are proud to say it! “Not just anyone can teach LifeSteps®!”
Only Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and qualified health professionals can become LifeSteps®Leaders. It’s what sets LifeSteps® apart from other weight management programs and one way we maintain the integrity and quality of the program.
Non-RDN Applicants: All non-RDN applicants must demonstrate ongoing continuing education in nutrition through workshops, seminars, conferences, etc. within the last five years and meet one of the following criteria:
Hold a degree in nutrition from an accredited college or university, OR
Hold a 4-year degree in a related health field and have completed a minimum of one college- level course in human nutrition, OR
Hold a 4-year degree in a non-related field, have five years’ work experience in a health-related field, and have completed a minimum of one college-level course in human nutrition from an accredited college or university within the past five years.
Intellectual Property Rights
All applicants who are accepted into the course must sign and return a LifeSteps® Leader Agreement that outlines LifeSteps® intellectual property rights.
Accredited Provider
LifeSteps® is a Continuing Professional Education Accredited Provider through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR #LS001).
Need more details about the LifeSteps® program?
This brochure is an overview of the program that you can bring to management and decision-makers to help build your LifeSteps® business.
LifeSteps® is designed for groups of 10-18. This size allows for a healthy combination of discussion, content review, sharing, accountability and group support. This size group is small enough to provide personal contact that supports successful behavior change, but big enough for dynamic and robust interaction.
Why Leaders Like Them
Cost and time effective
Fun and enjoyable to facilitate
Participants come up with answers and solutions, too
Two-way learning – The leader learns from the group and the group learns from the leader
Problem solving and accountability that is not available with one-on-one counseling
Peer modeling that makes your job easier and has a profound impact on the entire group
Why Participants Like Them
Everyone shares the common goal of lifestyle change and weight loss
Everyone works on similar challenges
Participants benefit from the shared experience and learn from others in the group
They’re “part of something bigger”
Find new support and feel understood knowing they are not alone in this challenge
Motivate and empower one another
Leader Training
What You’ll Learn
The course covers everything you need to know to launch a successful LifeSteps® program. It:
Develops your skills in behavioral techniques, behavioral feedback and group management.
Certifies you to deliver LifeSteps® in a variety of setting, including worksites, private medical practices, fitness centers and wellness and bariatric clinics.
Provides RDNs with 15 CPEs that can be completed on your schedule, in your home or office.
Course Objectives:After completing the Leader Training, you will be able to:
Identify all components of the LifeSteps® Weight Management Program.
Know how to use each component effectively.
Apply cognitive-behavioral strategies and group facilitation skills in a weight management setting.
Understand when and how to provide behavioral feedback to clients.
Apply goal setting concepts to specific client situations.
Function as an independent contractor of the LifeSteps® Weight Management Program.
Market and promote the program.
What’s Included
Both course options include the following:
Required, background reading
PowerPoint presentations
“Hands on” assignments using the LifeSteps® program materials
Review through quizzes and tests
Idea sharing
How It Works
If you’re qualified to become a LifeSteps® Leader, choose from two options:
Scheduled Course – Join in and interact online with others who are taking the course at the same time.
Individualized Self-study – This is a great option if scheduled course dates don’t work for you. Contact tracy@lifestepsweight.com for more information.
The course is taught entirely online. All you need is:
A computer
An internet connection and
6 weeks to complete the LifeSteps® Leader Training Course!
No matter which option you choose:
You complete the course at your own pace, on your own time, in the convenience of your home or work setting.
The course is open and available for you 24/7.
There is no set time to log-in and you can work when it fits your schedule.
Plan for about 3 hours per week to complete the tasks.
How Do I Start? Apply to Be a Leader
We are proud to say it! “Not just anyone can teach LifeSteps®!
Only Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and qualified health professionals can become LifeSteps®Leaders.” It’s what sets LifeSteps®apart from other weight management programs and one way we maintain the integrity and quality of the program.
All non-RDN applicants must demonstrate ongoing continuing education in nutrition through workshops, seminars, conferences, etc. within the last 5 years and meet one of the following criteria:
Hold a degree in nutrition from an accredited college or university, OR
Hold a 4-year degree in a related health field and have completed a minimum of one college-level course in human nutrition, OR
Hold a 4-year degree in a non-related field, have 5 years’ work experience in a health-related field, and have completed a minimum of one college-level course in human nutrition from an accredited college or university within the past 5 years.
LifeSteps® is a Continuing Professional Education Accredited Provider through the Commission on Dietetic Registration
Target Audience
LifeSteps® is appropriate for a wide ranging audience of people who want to lose weight for any number of reasons. It’s for people…
With medical conditions, such as prediabetes or diabetes, hypertension, knee and joint issues, sleep apnea or any condition where losing weight – even small amounts – can make a big difference.
Who suffer from “diet burnout” and have tried numerous diets without success.
Who simply want to look and feel better.
Readiness Is Key
Regardless of the motivation for losing weight, a person has to be READY for LifeSteps®. It is for the individual who WANTS to lose weight for personal reasons, not because someone has told them they “should” or “need” to lose weight.
They have to be willing to:
Commit to healthy, moderate eating habits and regular physical activity.
Be accountable and keep daily food and activity records.
Attend LifeSteps® classes and be part of a group that can support them.
Commit to healthy, realistic weight loss goals and take the weight off slowly.
Challenge their current attitudes and beliefs about food, physical activity and weight.
Engage family, friends and others who will support their lifestyle changes.