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Kaiser Permanente Announces New Web Site for San Francisco Area and Sacramento Weight Loss Programs

Residents of Northern California who want to lose weight and enjoy a healthier lifestyle can learn about Kaiser Permanente's Sacramento and San Francisco-area weight loss programs through the organization's new specialty Web site.

San Luis Obispo, CA, October 2007 — Recognizing that many people who struggle with their weight are frustrated by the available diet solutions, Kaiser Permanente has just launched a new Medical Weight Management Program in four Northern California cities (Oakland, San Jose, Fremont, and Sacramento) along with a diet weight control Web site to help promote this new service.

"We are excited to help Kaiser Permanente in its efforts to promote the new weight management program," said Ryan Miller, president of Etna Interactive, the Web services firm that developed the organization's Medical Weight Management site. "Web users searching for diet weight control in Sacramento, Fremont, Oakland, or San Jose can find a wealth of information, including upcoming events and a detailed description of what makes the Kaiser Permanente approach so special."

The Medical Weight Management Program was created to achieve weight loss in three steps. For the first four months, diet weight control patients in Fremont, San Jose, Oakland, and Sacramento are placed in an active weight loss phase, with low-calorie OPTIFAST® meal replacements, behavioral counseling, and medical monitoring. The next step, which lasts three and a half months, focuses on improved eating and exercise habits along with nutritional counseling, so that patients have a better understanding of how to prepare healthful meals. The final step, which continues for as long as the patient still needs assistance with weight management, is designed to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle through support groups and participation with a personal weight coach.

"I have a lot of respect for the program Kaiser Permanente put together for its Northern California weight loss patients," continued Mr. Miller. "It's not just another diet fad or trick. They've done the research to determine what medical solutions work, what resources people need to maintain a healthy lifestyle long-term."

As a fee-for-service plan, the Medical Weight Management Program is available to both Kaiser Permanente members and non members interested in long-term weight management through careful coordination of diet and behavioral change. Many San Francisco area and Sacramento weight loss patients have already registered for orientation sessions in the coming months to learn more about Kaiser Permanente's medical weight loss options.

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The Kaiser Permanente Medical Weight Management Program (www.kphealthyweight.com) was created to offer people who are substantially overweight or obese a comprehensive health solution comprised of medical supervision, behavioral and nutritional advice, and weekly group support sessions. The program offers a dedicated staff and a broad range of services to help people who need to lose 40 or more pounds achieve their goal and maintain a healthy weight. Currently, the Kaiser Permanente Medical Weight Management Program is offered for diet weight control in Fremont, Oakland, Sacramento, and San Jose.

Etna Interactive (www.etnainteractive.com) delivers solutions for the online media needs of a wide variety of medical professionals. By assisting physicians, surgeons, and other groups with their marketing needs, Etna helps increase public awareness of medical procedures that are improving the health and well-being of patients nationwide.