A tug-of-war for the hearts, minds and waistlines of Americans is played out every day, pitting our guilty-pleasure culture against a lifestyle of diet and exercise.  And which side is winning?

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that more than 60 percent of all Americans are overweight, and as many as 59 million people are considered obese. Those added pounds are unwanted and unhealthy.

But there is good news: many people are finding safe, long-term ways to keep their weight off and stay healthy. “Leading Medicine,” the new half-hour TV special featuring The Methodist Hospital, show how they are doing it. “Leading Medicine” aired Saturday, June 26, on KHOU-TV (Channel 11).

Viewers met people who learned that weight loss is more than a cosmetic change. Keeping weight off, they found, requires a change in their way of thinking as well as a determination to stay healthy for the rest of their lives.

Methodist Wellness Services’ medical weight loss program, for example, offers a regimen that can allow patients to safely lose between two and five pounds a week. Dr. Peter Jones, medical director of the Medical Weight Management program, regularly visits with each participant to monitor their weight loss and, more important, their health improvements.

When diet and exercise aren’t enough, another alternative can help people lose weight and restore health. Gastric bypass surgery, offered at The Methodist Hospital, is becoming more popular for those who need a drastic change.

The show profiled a woman who underwent the surgery and saw dramatic improvements almost immediately. Drs. John Sweeney, Garth Davis and William Fisher explained how the procedure can keep some people from literally eating themselves to death.

Former Channel 11 anchor Steve Smith hosted “Leading Medicine.”

Viewers who wish to get more information about Methodist’s weight loss programs, and about the topic in general, may attend a “Healthy Knowledge” seminar on Thursday, July 8. Drs. Peter Jones and Garth Davis, and a behaviorist/nutritionist from Methodist Wellness Services, will be the speakers. Jackie Robbins, a radio personality on KLDE-FM, is currently participating in Methodist’s weight loss program and was featured in the TV show, will host the seminar. Following the speakers’ presentations, there will be a question-and-answer session.

Admission to the “Healthy Knowledge” seminar is free.

The Methodist Hospital has been named among the country’s top hospitals for heart and heart surgery, psychiatry, orthopedics, geriatrics, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, neurology/neurosurgery, gynecology, nephrology and urology in U.S. News and World Report.