Treatment strategies for overweight and obesity.
OBJECTIVE
To review the health problem of overweight and obesity in adults, the available treatment options, and clinical implications for nursing.


METHODS
Overweight and obesity.


RESULTS
Today, obesity is considered a pandemic that is present in developed and developing countries. Obesity, considered a chronic condition, is associated with numerous comorbid conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers). There are three approaches to the treatment of overweight and obesity: lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery. The most effective approach uses a combination of behavioral strategies and diet and exercise to support sustained lifestyle change. Pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery have better outcomes when augmented by lifestyle treatment compared with either approach alone. Bariatric surgery, which is being performed increasingly more often, is reserved for those with a body mass index (BMI) of greater than or equal to 40, or a BMI of 35 to 39.9 in the presence of comorbidities. The biggest treatment challenge is the prevention of weight regain.


CONCLUSIONS
The most effective treatment approach is the use of lifestyle modification, which can be delivered alone or to augment pharmacotherapy or bariatric surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Similar to other chronic conditions, obesity needs ongoing management, which is a role that nursing can help fill in the clinical setting.
School of Nursing, Graduate School of Public Health, and Clinical Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. lbu100@pitt.edu
Lora E
LE
Burke
Jing
J
Wang
D000328:Adult; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009765:Obesity / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic