Weight Management

Obesity is a national issue, which has recently received extensive coverage in the media. At The Cardiopulmonary Centre, our objective is to quantify your body dimension statistics for longitudinal analysis, quantify daily calorific requirements of our patients, and if necessary offer measurements which can be integrated into an exercise training programme. The four main areas we assess are as follows:-

Basal metabolic rate

An assessment of the minimum daily calorie requirement for the patient. This test is performed in conjunction with a simple blood test to measure systemic nitrogen (thus protein). This offers patients a specific and measurable method of estimating daily calorific requirements. It involves 30 minutes of lying quietly on a bed while attached to an oxygen gas analyser, so it's quite a pleasant test to perform!  Prior to this we take a blood sample to measure the amount of Nitrogen (and thus the protein) in the body. This test can be offered in conjunction with consultation with our dieticians in case you would like to formulate a specific dietary plan, based upon the results of this test.

Many of the principles of athletic training and assessment also apply to non-athletes and those looking to lose weight. This is a specific test for those looking to truly see whether they have a fast, slow or normal metabolism.

With our Basal Metabolic Rate test we can accurately assess your body's daily calorific requirements. This is vital information for those on calorie-controlled diets as it allows you to be very accurate in balancing calorific intake with calorific expenditure.

With this test we can accurately see the proportion of fats, carbohydrates and protein utilised at rest. We also can combine this with versions of our clinical tests to help you design a consistent, enjoyable exercise programme.

Body Fat Assessment

We have two methods of estimating body fat:

  1. Sum of skinfolds
  2. Circumference measurement.

    Both these measurement techniques are sensitive to changes in body fat levels, they are completely non-invasive and are highly beneficial when employed sequentially to provide records of body-fat changes over time. The sum of skinfolds test uses painless calipers to measure skinfold thickness at different sites on the body (sub-scapular, pectoral, anterior and posterior upper arm). The circumference measurement achieves the same result through use of a measurement tape round certain areas of the body – arms, shoulders, hips, waist, thigh, calf.

Referral to Dietitian

Once your estimated calorie requirements and body fat analysis have been carried out, we can offer you a consultation with our qualified and experienced, state registered Dietitians. They can provide practical dietary guidance to enable you to improve your health and lose weight if necessary.

In addition, we can offer a third method to Body Fat Assessment - bioelectrical impedance resulting in a calculation of percentage body fat. This is a non-invasive method and a more accurate way of monitoring fat loss, taking into account changes in muscle mass and fluid shifts.

Cardiopulmonary training and rehabilitation

For patients on weight-management programmes or patients who are exercise-limited for medical reasons, we have a range of tests which can help inform, educate and provide guidance, should you be recommended for a cardiovascular exercise programme. Each of these tests is individually tailored for the specific clinical limitations of the patient, your medical aims in conjunction with your physician and your dietary requirements in conjunction with a dietician. Our clinical physiologists are all extensively qualified and experienced in exercise prescription – we can even work in conjunction with your fitness centre/personal trainer/GP in the optimisation of a safe, effective cardiovascular exercise programme.

For further dietitian details please click here