TARRYTOWN, NY--(Marketwire - January 26, 2011) -  With more than half of all American adults tipping the scales as overweight or obese it's no surprise that losing weight is the most popular New Year's resolution. Unfortunately, by late winter most have already abandoned their goals. In fact, according to a scientific survey*, 88 percent of all resolutions end in failure.

Dr. Michael Kaplan, a board certified physician and founder of The Center for Medical Weight Loss, the largest network of non-surgical medical weight loss providers in the U.S., has noticed that while most commercial weight loss programs' enrollments jump in January due to the "New Year's Resolution Factor" his practice sees its greatest spike -- roughly 30 percent -- in March.

"Based on the measurable increase in our program in March as well as the anecdotal information I've gathered from doctors in our network, I know that people are turning to us after they've tried commercial diet plans at the start of the year that have failed them. They come here when they're ready to get serious about their health," said Dr. Kaplan.

The Center for Medical Weight Loss, which has opened 420 centers in 46 states in just four years, empowers physicians to help patients fight obesity. Doctors in the network function as health coaches, keeping their patients accountable -- a critical component of long-term success.

Medically supervised weight loss enables a person to safely lose weight under the care of a board-certified physician. Patients typically see their doctor weekly in a one-on-one session that includes an assessment of related health conditions (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.), discussion of body composition analysis, counsel on behavior modification -- including nutrition and fitness -- and adjustments of necessary prescription medications to promote weight loss.

"I started The Center for Medical Weight Loss because as a practicing internist I was frustrated with treating obesity's result instead of addressing its root cause. Obesity is a disease and like any other it should be treated by doctors," said Dr. Kaplan. "The company's growth is really gratifying because it underscores the rising need for non-surgical medical weight loss. We're collectively making inroads in the fight against this epidemic."

More on The Center for Medical Weight Loss
The Center for Medical Weight Loss empowers physicians to help patients fight obesity. The four-year-old organization is the largest network of non-surgical medical weight loss providers in the U.S. The company offers effective, customized weight loss treatments administered exclusively by doctors and based on a proprietary program developed by Dr. Michael Kaplan, who is board-certified in internal medicine and bariatric medicine (the specialty dealing with weight and metabolism). The Center for Medical Weight Loss has more than 420 board-certified physicians in its network, covering 46 states. For more information, visit www.centerformedicalweightloss.com

* According to a 2007 survey of over 3,000 people conducted by Richard Wiseman, a British psychologist