Community Corner

A&E Channel Films Obesity Intervention with Roswell Doctor

Roswell's Dr. Dan Batchelor and a local patient were recently filmed as part of an A&E channel documentary television show.

When an A&E channel television show recently approached Roswell’s about filming his treatment of a local man’s obesity problem, he agreed without hesitation.

“I have always had a burning desire to help overweight people lose weight,” Batchelor told Roswell Patch.

The patient, 49, who had previously run the New York City Marathon three times during his 20s, now weighs 350 pounds and has a body fat index of 46 percent.

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Normal body fat falls within the range of 15 - 20 percent.

“My calculations give him a life expectancy of less than 60 years of age if he stays the same as he is now,” said Batchelor.

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The man's condition had been caused by a stress-eating problem that had slowly developed over the years. But it wasn’t something he was willing to address until his family recently intervened and convinced him that professional help had become absolutely necessary.

His Hollywood contacts believed the story was perfect for the television show and soon asked the locally well-known chiropractor and wellness guru, Batchelor, to help treat him.

“When I first started [my] practice 31 years ago I developed a weight loss program for overweight patients, which took off like wild fire. Within a few months, it was literally standing room [only] in my waiting room,” Batchelor said.

The local chiropractor is used to treating overweight patients. But, the chance to help one man while at the same time spread a message of healthy living to thousands - if not millions - of viewers, was a golden opportunity for Batchelor, who preaches the gospel of living an active lifestyle and eating well.

At a weight circumference of 61 inches, the patient was over 20 inches above normal. His blood pressure was 220/110 and his diet was terribly unhealthy.

Batchelor said the man and his wife cried during the four-hour evaluation at his office last week and consultation, which was filmed by A&E.

“The facts were there,” said Batchelor. “He could either change his lifestyle or he could live a low quality life for the next 10 years or so and then die. I let him know that he was not being fair to his wife by dying prematurely.”

It was a turning point, according to Batchelor, who pledged his time and energy to help save the man from a “slow and painful death.”

“I will be helping him by treating him chiropractically for his body pain, monitor his diet, body fat and exercise with him on the bike, with weights and hiking,” Batchelor said.

Strict diet and exercise plans, as well as chiropractic adjustments and workouts are key to restoring the man to good health.

“One mission in my life that I have is to help people that are in pain to get out of pain and another mission I have is to help people lose weight and get fit,” said Batchelor. “There is no drug or surgery that can make you feel as good as it feels to be fit, trim and pain-free using natural methods.”

The first part of the documentary will air on A&E sometime within the next month. Next year, producers from the channel will return to Roswell and follow up on the man’s progress with Batchelor.


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