BUSINESS IN THE NEWS Slim Med program fights obesity

The issue of obesity in America has become increasingly alarming in recent years. With people eating so much and in such large portions, combined with a lack of exercise, it has created a recipe for disaster.
&#8220Obesity has become an epidemic in this country,” says Doctor Aristoletis Sakellaridis. &#8220It is now the number one preventable cause of death over smoking,” he said.
As an internist, Dr. Sakellaridis specializes in the care of adults. He did his residency at New York Hospital Queens Medical Center following undergraduate work at New York University. With 15 years of experience as a doctor, Sakellaridis feels a strong sense of duty to change the current state of health in the country.
&#8220Obesity is a serious health issue that can lead to diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleeping patterns, heart disease, strokes and arthritis,” Dr. Sakellaridis says.
As part of his profession, he has seen numerous patients and families who suffer from obesity. In an effort to curtail this growing problem, Dr. Sakellaridis joined a nationwide campaign to wipe out the disease. His program, Slim Med, is structured to help people lose weight and keep it off.
According to Dr. Sakellaridis, two out of three American adults are obese. With such a large ratio, the question then becomes, when is a person considered obese? Obesity is determined by a person's body mass index, which is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. A BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese.
Slim Med, an FDA-approved full meal replacement diet, promises to completely modify the dietary behavior of patients. The program first introduces liquids and crunch bars into patients' diets. Thereafter, patients receive a week of educational training, which teaches nutrition and reinforces dedication. &#8220Losing weight is not that hard,” Dr. Sakellaridis says. &#8220You can go to any bookstore and pick up a book on losing weight and lose weight, but keeping it off is the hard part,” he said.
With Slim Med, Sakellaridis assures his patients of keeping the weight off. He also promises to take them off their medication. &#8220I want to set my patients on a healthy path in life, I don't want them coming back,” he said.
&#8220School vending machines are killing our kids,” Dr. Sakellaridis says. &#8220In school, children are consuming large amounts of junk food, fast food and candy; and they only spend about 45 minutes a week in gym,” he said. Dr. Sakellaridis advises parents to call their children's school and demand that the vending machines be removed. He suggests that they be replenished with low calorie fruit juices, no fat milk, water, fruits and dried fruits. &#8220I don't want to see the generation of tomorrow being sick,” Dr. Sakellaridis said.
Slim Med is located at 33-44 Bell Boulevard, in Bayside. Their hours of operation are Mondays from 3 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursdays from 3 to 6:30 p.m., Fridays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and by appointment. For more information, call 718-229-3344.