DIET | DETECTIVE^®

Karen Miller-Kovach, MBA, MS, RD, is the Chief Scientific Officer at Weight Watchers International, where she ensures that its offerings represent the latest findings in the fields of obesity and weight management. She has authored six books, holds the patent for the POINTS® Weight-Loss System, and has contributed numerous articles to leading nutrition and medical journals. In addition, Ms. Miller-Kovach coordinates all clinical research initiatives sponsored by Weight Watchers International and serves as the corporate spokesperson on scientific matters.  Her latest book is Weight Watchers She Loses, He Loses: The Truth about Men, Women, and Weight Loss

Name: Karen Miller-Kovach, M.S., R.D. 

Birthday: June 28

Location: Weight Watchers International, New York, New York

Website: www.WeightWatchers.com

Question: What are the primary (and surprising) differences in how men and women lose weight and maintain weight?  

Men and women think about, talk about, and approach weight loss very differently. For example, men don’t “diet,” they “get in shape.” When it comes to surprising differences, two come to mind. Both men and women are emotional overeaters – but women tend to eat as a reaction to negative emotions like sadness, boredom, or frustration. Conversely, men tend to overeat as a reaction to positive emotions like happiness, joy, and contentment. Another difference lies in the area of desiring support. Our research shows that men are more likely than women to ask for support – but the word means different things to each of the genders. Men define support as receiving specific and construction information to answer a specific question from a single expert who knows more on the topic than he does (most men’s preferred expert is their spouse or partner) while women define support as positive and empathetic feedback in an unsolicited way from a wide variety of sources, including family, friends, and co-workers.

Question:  What are a few unique ways that couples and families can cope together (beyond the obvious)?

The single biggest thing that couple and families can do is to commit to living in a healthy weight home. Having a supportive environment is one of the four pillars to lasting weight loss. A healthy weight home is one where: there are plenty of wholesome foods that are low in energy density; some (but not an abundance) of treats; most meals are eaten as a family; “food fights” are disallowed as are weight-related comments that are not constructive and positive; regular exercise is part of daily life; and screen time is limited to no more than 1 hour per day. In a study done with young couples (the year after getting married or moving in together is a prime time for weight gain) in Australia, a preventive program that focused on these types of principles was able to avoid weight gain.

Question: How important is it to focus on the entire family when trying to maintain healthful eating and activity habits?

In order to sustain a healthy weight home, everybody has to be on board. The weight-related activities that parents model have a strong impact on kids living in the home. If whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins are the foods that are purchased and prepared in the home, they will be the foods that are eaten. If parents use their leisure time being physically active, the kids are more likely to as well. Without the focus on the entire family, the likelihood for success is significantly diminished.

Question:  What’s the most surprising and interesting fact or study that you’ve heard about dieting, that most of us have not heard about?

While we all know that men are able to lose weight more quickly than women (due to their generally larger stature and a body composition with a higher percentage of lean muscle mass), that’s not the whole story. In addition, it’s been found that men, on average, burn more calories in spontaneous activity than women. That means that we women need to be more mindful about being physically active.

Question: If you could eat one forbidden or unhealthy food (candy, cakes, etc..) whenever you wanted without gaining weight, what would it be?

Warm, soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies (yum!).

Question: If there were one healthy food item (something you love) that you had to eat every day, what would it be?

Spinach – raw, sautéed, steamed, or fried – you name a way to eat it and I’m game.

Question: What do you think is the single most important thing that makes or breaks a diet for someone?

Our research suggests that for lasting weight loss, there needs to be a convergence of three factors in a person’s life – being a “good place” in your life (e.g., minimal stress, time to devote to the effort); having the confidence that you CAN do it; and having confidence that the method you’ve chosen to use to lose weight WILL work.

Question: What do you consider the world’s most perfect food?

Spinach (can you tell that I’m biased J ).

Question: What physical activity do you do to keep yourself in shape? 

I walk, walk, and then walk some more.

Question: What’s your favorite healthy ingredient? What’s the one thing you’d suggest people keep in their kitchen if they want to cook healthy meals?

My favorite ingredient is cooking spray. I keep several flavors in my pantry and use it almost daily. Whether it’s to add some flavor to my beloved steamed spinach with an olive oil spray, air-popped popcorn with butter flavor, or spray a canola oil before browning some lean meat, I find lots of ways to cut added fat by spraying instead.

Question: What’s the one kitchen utensil or tool that you can’t live without?

My nonstick skillet.

Question: What’s the easiest healthy meal you know how to make?

A quesadilla made with fat-free refried beans, vegetables, and 2% cheese shreds on a 100% whole wheat tortilla and lots of salsa. I cook it on a nonstick griddle that I’ve spritzed with canola oil spray.

Question: Do you have a favorite low calorie healthy recipe or cooking tip? If so would you share it? 

I think I just did.

Question: Do you have a Calorie Bargain? 

I love to have a Sugar Free Fudgesicle for dessert in the summer. I find them a refreshing, tasty end to a meal and a good substitute for things like ice cream or sorbet.

Question: Define failure.

To me, failure is a lack of belief that you have it within your power to change a situation that makes you unhappy. This goes not only for weight loss, but also personal relationships and other lifestyle factors like smoking.

Question: What's the most bodacious chance you've ever taken? 

Enrolling as a full-time student in an MBA program at the same time I was working full-time in an executive position and raising 3- and 5-year-olds. It was among the best two years of my life!

Question: What was your worst summer job?

Being a server at a Red Lobster restaurant during an “all you can eat” crab leg (with drawn butter) special.

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written by Adam, June 08, 2007

Great interview!