‘Doctor’s Appointment’
New weight-loss programme to boost health awareness
DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT, the health-oriented television programme, is to break new ground locally with a weight-loss challenge that follows a group of contestants who have started their journey towards improving their lifestyle.
The challenge, dubbed ‘New Year ... New Me ... 2017,’ will run simultaneously with the second season of Doctor’s Appointment.
The show places emphasis on the need for health-related education, informed decisionmaking, and a proactive approach to health.
For 13 weeks, information on major health issues affecting Jamaicans will be delivered to the viewing public, as host Dr Sara Lawrence has conversation with some of Jamaica’s notable physicians and health-care professionals.
Building on the success of the first season, the producers, Maverick Communications, has moved to add further value to the programme by adding a feature that reiterates the agenda of informing, educating, entertaining, and influencing positive change.
DRIVING FACTOR
Director of Maverick Communications, Melody Cammock-Gayle, noted that facilitating a culture of health awareness is key to creating the television programme and is a driving factor behind the weight-loss challenge.
“Doctor’s Appointment has a simple message – know your body well enough to understand if or when it is registering signs of change and seek medical attention quickly. Having the information is only one step; knowing how it applies to you is another,” said Cammock-Gayle.
“Having too much weight is one sign that should not be ignored. This exciting feature reinforces our message, giving us a window to reach more people in more practical terms, with a welcomed difference,” added Cammock-Gayle.
Through partnership with Express Fitness and NCB ProCare, 13 contestants – including one male – have an opportunity to not only vie for an attractive grand prize but also be an example to the viewing public.
As entrants, each will have a free membership with an Express Fitness gym in their vicinity and will continue until elimination.
This guarantees 24-hour access and access to a personal trainer three times per week. Their progress will be tracked and published on social media, giving members of the audience the opportunity to participate in weekly challenge, and benefit from nutrition and exercise videos tips from fitness consultants.
All contestants are expected to work out each week and post videos on social media or risk being disqualified. For every three weeks that pass, a contestant will be eliminated if their specific weight targets are not met.
Following the final elimination, a weigh-in is carried out to determine who should go home. However, the public will be able to vote for a favourite contestant on social media to save him or her from elimination, where necessary.
At the end, the person who loses the most weight wins and will receive a year of membership at Express Fitness, inclusive of a personal trainer and other prizes. Runners-up will receive consolation prizes as well.
Doctor’s Appointment airs weekly on Sundays at 5:30 p.m. on Television Jamaica with rebroadcasts on Thursdays, and is followed up in the Wednesday Gleaner.
NCB Insurance Company Limited is the show’s main sponsor. Other sponsors include The NCB Group, The Gleaner Company, Singer, WATA, Jamaica Dairy Development Board, Cari-Med, HMed, Flirt Boutique, Home Health and Garden (HHG) Magazine, and Evergrow.