BRUNSWICK — Mid Coast Hospital’s Center for Weight & Lifestyle Change will launch a new 12-week session on Jan. 12.

Classes run from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Running Start Classroom at Mid Coast Hospital.

Each class is limited to 16 people. A referral from each participant’s primary care provider is required.

“The Mid Coast Center for Weight & Lifestyle Change addresses the complex problem of obesity.” according to a Mid Coast Hospital release.

“Most people who have a history of being overweight will tell you that they know how to lose weight, but that they have trouble sustaining weight loss,” a program staffer said in the release. “This program uses a multidisciplinary approach that covers the nutritional, emotional, and physical issues contributing to obesity.”

Classes include nutrition guidance and weekly feedback, individual and group behavioral health sessions, and exercise coaching. They also offer “solutions to help participants make lasting changes to improve their health,” the release states.

Goals of the program include:

— Learning to identify unhealthy lifestyle patterns with food.

— Learning to tell the difference between emotional and physical hunger.

— Gaining instruction in meal and exercise planning.

— Developing a healthy body and self-image.

— Setting realistic weight and lifestyle goals.

— Identifying personal barriers or sabotaging behaviors.

— Designing successful strategies to ensure sustained success and maintenance of a healthy weight and lifestyle.

The program is designed for people who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) equal to or greater than 27.5, and are at least 17 years old. In addition, it is intended for individuals that can commit to spend time on themselves and work with our specialized staff.

Registration costs $100. The total cost will depend on participants’ insurance policies. The program is currently not covered by Medicare or Medicaid.

For information or to register, call 407- 7446 or visit www.midcoasthealth.com/ weightloss.