Weight management practices and evidence for weight loss through primary care: a brief review.
OBJECTIVE
The optimal role for primary care in the management of overweight and obesity is yet to be determined. This review examines current weight management practices in primary care and summarizes the evidence for weight loss interventions based in primary care settings.


METHODS
PubMed was searched for literature on weight management in primary care published from 2000 onwards. Forty-one articles were included.


RESULTS
The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high among primary care patients, yet frequently under-diagnosed by general practitioners. When diagnosed, weight management practices are highly variable. Evidence supporting effective long term interventions for weight loss in primary care is limited. Consistency of outcome measures, explicit reporting of attrition rates and assessment of motivation at inclusion are critical for interpreting results.


CONCLUSIONS
An approach to weight management that includes the involvement of disciplines other than general practice appears to be more successful. Further research is required to determine the most effective approach in primary care.
a a Department of Medical Education , Curtin University , Perth , Western Australia.
Gemma
G
Ossolinski
b b Melbourne Clinical School, Sydney School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia Melbourne , Victoria, Australia.
Moyez
M
Jiwa
c c Centre of Excellence Science, Seafood & Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University , Perth , Western Australia.
Alexandra
A
McManus
D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D015431:Weight Loss
Adult; Obesity; Overweight; Primary health care; Review; Weight loss