WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic has introduced the Weight Loss Program at MinuteClinic, a personalized program designed to help people lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle

The CVS Caremark retail health clinic subsidiary said Monday that the program leverages the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet health plan, ranked as the No. 1 overall diet by U.S. News & World Report for the past three years.

The Weight Loss Program at MinuteClinic combines weekly visits with a MinuteClinic practitioner plus nutrition and weight loss advice delivered via the online DASH for Health program. The program is tailored to each individual and includes a medical evaluation with lab tests (such as blood sugar and cholesterol screening).

MinuteClinic noted that the DASH diet has been clinically proven to promote weight loss while lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.

"DASH is one of the most highly recommended, evidence-based diets in clinical practice today," Nancy Gagliano, MinuteClinic’s chief medical officer, said in a statement. "Our Weight Loss Program is designed to help patients lose weight by making smart choices and focuses on healthy eating with DASH-approved recipes. In addition to providing healthy dietary recommendations, MinuteClinic practitioners tailor a weight-loss plan for each patient that incorporates counseling, education and advice to help patients achieve their goals."

In the first visit at a MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinic, an evaluation is conducted that includes a check of vital signs and measurement of body mass index and waist circumference. MinuteClinic practitioners then work one on one with patients to assess physical health and lifestyle and to set goals. Ongoing weight-loss coaching sessions, including medical evaluation and lab tests based on the individual’s needs, help measure progress and keep patients on track.

The Weight Loss Program is covered by most insurance plans, MinuteClinic said. For those paying cash, the initial assessment is $69 and ensuing coaching sessions are $59. The program includes a membership to DASH for Health online, a $69 value. The online program provides tools, meal plans, exercise tips, recipes and more.

MinuteClinic added that no appointment is needed for the Weight Loss Program, and patients can fit the program into their schedules at a time convenient for them, after work, on weekends or during a lunch break.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over a third of U.S. adults are obese, MinuteClinic reported. Obesity contributes to a number of health conditions, including heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. More than one in three Americans have hypertension, according to the CDC. In addition, diabetes now affects 25.8 million Americans, according to the American Diabetes Association.