|
"Shoku-dietary Coaching" is a skill under development by Kageyama, who
applies "coaching," widely used in the business field, to diet counseling.
This counseling aims at improving conventional "nutritional guidance-type
diet counseling" and promoting self-motivation so that healthy clients
eagerly improve their own health, and clients with obesity or
lifestyle-related diseases can learn self-control. In Shoku-dietary
Coaching, the basis for the differentiation between healthy and unhealthy
conditions is not only the parameters measured by medical devices. In Shoku-dietary
Coaching, attention is directed to clients' assessment of their own
lifestyle, dietary goals they have, and actions they will take to achieve
them. To increase the health level of clients, we are developing techniques
to enhance their motivation by showing sympathy with and support for their
dietary behavior and health awareness. In addition, we give guidance through
both theory and the practice of such things as having three meals a day at
regular hours, knowing the kinds and daily amounts of foods appropriate for
each client, and clarifying the percentages of seasonings necessary for
cooking. The habit of having meals at regular hours alleviates stress,
promotes communication with people sitting at the same table, and increases
the health level of both the client and the others. These are important
elements in the theory of Shoku-dietary Coaching. Putting the above into
practice should not be limited to clients, but should include the clinic
staff so as to deepen their own understanding and communication. Enhanced
communication reinforces team medical care in the clinic. Communication
skills which involve respect for others, continuous motivation of
individuals, and achievement of purposes that may even require a long time
may be useful for all people. |