Sigma Nutrition — Articles

#597: Behavioral Psychology in Diet & Health Counselling – David Creel, PhD, RD

David Creel, PhD, RD, a clinical psychologist and dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, emphasizes that lasting weight‑loss hinges on behavioral psychology rather than isolated diet or exercise prescriptions. He outlines a framework that blends collaborative communication, self‑monitoring, skill‑building, and relapse‑prevention planning within a multidisciplinary team. The discussion also addresses how emerging GLP‑1 receptor agonists create new hopes and anxieties, demanding structured behavior‑change support to sustain outcomes. Creel highlights non‑scale victories and shifting focus toward functional capabilities as key motivators.