This doctor wants to see less of you…
One of HMF’s newest doctors has launched our Center for Human Nutrition, a program designed to help patients lose weight and improve overall health.
Name?
Kurt Hong, M.D., Ph.D.
Specialty?
Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition.
Everyone’s heard of internists, but what’s a nutrition doctor?
It’s a specialty, much like cardiology or gastroenterology. There are only about 300 doctors in the U.S. who are board-certified Physician Nutrition Specialists (PNS).
How does a Physician Nutrition Specialist differ from a dietitian or nutritionist?
A PNS is a licensed, practicing doctor with special training in weight management and metabolic diseases, so he or she can address a patient’s dietary challenges as well as any chronic conditions. We can also prescribe medications, if needed, for treatment of obesity or metabolic disorders. The PNS is recognized by the state of California and insurers, so services are covered by most insurance plans.
A registered dietitian typically needs to meet certain educational requirements and pass a national examination in order to work with patients. The generic term "nutritionist" is not regulated, so the practitioner may have extensive training-or none at all.
How did you prepare for practicing two specialties?
I earned my undergraduate degree in Bioengineering at UCLA, then went to Harvard Medical School. I did my internal medicine residency at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, and then completed a fellowship in clinical nutrition at the UCLA School of Medicine.
When did you squeeze in that Ph.D.?
After my fellowship, I was selected for STAR Scholarship, so I was able to complete my Ph.D. studying fat stem cells.
STAR?
STAR stands for Specialty Training and Advanced Research. It’s a wonderful opportunity for doctors who want immerse themselves in the research side of medicine.
How do you work with patients who want to lose weight?
It all starts with a detailed consultation and comprehensive exam. Our program is customized using meal plans based on your metabolism (analysis performed on first visit), appropriate exercise, and frequent follow-up visits.
My goal is to distill the science and research behind nutrition into a practical game plan that one can follow for life. It’s all about being practical; seeing food changes as healthier substitutions rather than deprivation.
How are your own eating habits?
I eat healthy everyday, but enjoy the occasional splurge. However, I’m far more interested in food than most of my patients are. I love any and all books about food including culinary techniques, food history, growing food, and food photography. I read cookbooks and often think about starting a gourmet cooking school after I retire from medicine.
What about exercise?
Golf. And if I have time after golf, I play…more golf. Of course, chasing after my two young children certainly feels like exercise.
Does your wife share your interest in food?
She has a different perspective. My wife, Dr. Julie Yang, is a HMF gastroenterologist, so she knows the intricacies of food as related to the digestive system.
Did you meet in medical school?
No, we were set up on a blind date six years ago.
Blind dates work?
They do! We’re expecting our third child.
Find out more about the HMF Center for Human Nutrition.