title: Management of obesity in adults: European clinical practice guidelines.
abstract: The development of consensus guidelines for obesity is complex. It involves recommending both treatment interventions and interventions related to screening and prevention. With so many publications and claims, and with the awareness that success for the individual is short-lived, many find it difficult to know what action is appropriate in the management of obesity. Furthermore, the significant variation in existing service provision both within countries as well as across the regions of Europe makes a standardised approach, even if evidence-based, difficult to implement. In formulating these guidelines, we have attempted to use an evidence-based approach while allowing flexibility for the practicing clinician in domains where evidence is currently lacking and ensuring that in treatment there is recognition of clinical judgment and of regional diversity as well as the necessity of an agreed approach by the individual and family. We conclude that i) physicians have a responsibility to recognise obesity as a disease and help obese patients with appropriate prevention and treatment, ii) treatment should be based on good clinical care and evidence-based interventions and iii) obesity treatment should focus on realistic goals and lifelong management.
authors.affiliation: Metabolism and Diabetes Unit, Evgenidion Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece. ctsigos@gmail.com
authors.forename: Constantine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsigos
authors.forename: Vojtech
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hainer
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Basdevant
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Finer
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fried
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mathus-Vliegen
authors.forename: Dragan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Micic
authors.forename: Maximo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maislos
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roman
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Schutz
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Toplak
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zahorska-Markiewicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*