Bridging the Nutrition Gap: A Collaborative Approach to Obesity Care in Oklahoma
Oklahoma ranks near the bottom in the nation when it comes to health outcomes—especially in the areas of obesity, chronic disease, and nutrition-related conditions. But behind these rankings are real people, families, and barriers that can’t be fixed with a handout or a trendy diet.
As a Registered Dietitian and Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management, I work with both individuals and healthcare providers across Oklahoma to bridge the gap between diagnosis and long-term change.
And to truly move the needle on public health in Oklahoma, we need collaborative care that includes nutrition—not as an afterthought, but as a core part of treatment.
Meet the Johnsons: A Typical Oklahoma Health Story
The Johnsons are a family of four living just outside Norman.
Dad works construction and skips meals or grabs drive-thru most days.
Mom juggles part-time work and caring for the kids, both of whom are overweight.
Their local grocery store is a 30-minute drive, and the only pediatric clinic in the area is always booked.
They’ve tried to “eat healthier,” but time, cost, and confusion keep getting in the way.
They’re not lazy. They’re not unmotivated. They’re stuck in a system that doesn’t make health easy—or even possible.
Now imagine what could change for them if they had:
A referral to a virtual dietitian after a routine check-up
Access to supportive, realistic nutrition counseling
A provider team that communicated about their care plan
This is the kind of real-life support more Oklahoma families need.
Oklahoma’s Health by the Numbers
Recent data shows:
36% of Oklahoma adults are obese (vs. the national average of 33%)
Oklahoma ranks 46th in overall health (America’s Health Rankings, 2024)
1 in 3 children in the state is overweight or obese
Rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension are significantly above national levels
These are not just numbers—they're risk factors that affect quality of life, lifespan, and our healthcare system as a whole.
Why Obesity Is So Complex in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s health challenges are multifactorial, and treating obesity effectively requires looking beyond weight alone.
Contributing factors include:
Limited access to care (especially in rural areas)
Food deserts and food insecurity
Time constraints and caregiver fatigue
Unaddressed mental health and trauma
Cost barriers and insurance limitations
Quick fixes and “just eat less” approaches don’t solve these problems. But collaborative, patient-centered nutrition care can.
How Dietitians and Healthcare Providers Can Work Together
Too often, nutrition counseling is left out of routine care—not because providers don’t care, but because they lack time, resources, or referral options.
Here’s how Registered Dietitians (RDs) can help:
Support Primary Care
Provide ongoing patient education after diagnosis (diabetes, high cholesterol, PCOS, obesity)
Offer virtual follow-ups that free up clinic time while reinforcing medical advice
Translate clinical goals into doable, everyday steps
Improve Outcomes
Patients who work with RDs often see better weight management, medication reduction, and improved lab markers
Dietitians offer behavioral change strategies, not just calorie tracking
Expand Access
Virtual appointments remove geographic and time barriers
We can reach underserved patients with culturally sensitive, personalized care plans
When nutrition becomes part of the care team, everyone wins.
Why Oklahoma Needs Flexible Care Options
We can’t expect the Johnsons—or families like them—to drive 40 minutes for a 10-minute visit, follow a generic meal plan, and change their lives overnight.
Oklahoma needs flexible, accessible, and varied care pathways, including:
Virtual nutrition counseling (available statewide)
Dietitians embedded in primary care or telehealth teams
Community-based classes and workshops
Digital tools and follow-up systems for patient engagement
If a provider can refer a patient to a trusted, evidence-based nutrition specialist—and that patient can meet from home after work—it’s a win for everyone.
For Oklahoma Providers: Let’s Work Together
If you're a primary care physician, pediatrician, specialist, or health educator, you’ve likely seen patients struggling with:
Obesity and metabolic syndrome
Poor blood sugar control despite meds
Repeated ER visits for diet-related complications
Confusion and frustration with nutrition advice
Let’s not leave them to figure it out alone.
I offer:
HIPAA-compliant virtual nutrition counseling statewide
Evidence-based, weight-neutral or weight-loss-focused care, depending on patient needs
Flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends
Collaboration with referring providers via shared notes and secure messaging
Refer a Patient or Connect With Me
Let’s work together to close the gap between diagnosis and real change.
📍 Oklahoma-licensed Registered Dietitian
💻 Virtual sessions available statewide
🔗 Make a referral or learn more: moodynutrition.com/providers
Together, we can make Oklahoma a healthier place—patient by patient, family by family.
