Obesity is a chronic disease that carries a devastating health and socioeconomic impact. Primary care providers must have adequate knowledge of the condition, its management, and when a referral for specialized care is warranted. Existing challenges are time constraints on practitioners to implement these tasks and overcome the barriers they face in doing so. Behavioral change counseling methods provide a framework for supporting patients to lose weight. These models can help practitioners to create a patient-centered and individualized plan that includes a combination of behavioral interventions, diet modification, and exercise habits. Prescription weight loss medications may also play a role in conjunction with lifestyle changes. The following
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75% of adults that are overweight or obese have one or more cardiac risk factors associated with their weight such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes (United States Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2015). These risk factors place them at much higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers (LeBlanc, O’Conner, Whitlock, Patnode, & Kapka 2011). A modest 5-10% reduction in weight is considered clinically meaningful and can reduce the chance of developing obesity related conditions (HHS, 2015). With this information, it is imperative that primary care providers understand how best to help their patients lose weight. The focus of this literature review is in the primary care setting, as this is often where the majority of patients with obesity are first encountered and treated. There appears to be a gap in knowledge regarding how best to approach the topic of weight loss and how to address needed lifestyle changes, especially within a limited time …show more content…
The model has been applied extensively to smoking cessation with promising results and more recently research has focused on weight loss interventions. Mastellos, Gun, Felix, Car, and Majeed (2014) conducted a systematic review that examined use of the TTM SOC interventions compared to usual care for weight loss management. The results showed no statistical difference in BMI outcomes, but did show significant positive changes in regards to eating and exercise habits. Other researchers have conducted similar studies with an underlying theme that TTM interventions should be customized based on the stage the person is in to best assist the person in advancing to the next
75% of adults that are overweight or obese have one or more cardiac risk factors associated with their weight such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes (United States Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2015). These risk factors place them at much higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers (LeBlanc, O’Conner, Whitlock, Patnode, & Kapka 2011). A modest 5-10% reduction in weight is considered clinically meaningful and can reduce the chance of developing obesity related conditions (HHS, 2015). With this information, it is imperative that primary care providers understand how best to help their patients lose weight. The focus of this literature review is in the primary care setting, as this is often where the majority of patients with obesity are first encountered and treated. There appears to be a gap in knowledge regarding how best to approach the topic of weight loss and how to address needed lifestyle changes, especially within a limited time …show more content…
The model has been applied extensively to smoking cessation with promising results and more recently research has focused on weight loss interventions. Mastellos, Gun, Felix, Car, and Majeed (2014) conducted a systematic review that examined use of the TTM SOC interventions compared to usual care for weight loss management. The results showed no statistical difference in BMI outcomes, but did show significant positive changes in regards to eating and exercise habits. Other researchers have conducted similar studies with an underlying theme that TTM interventions should be customized based on the stage the person is in to best assist the person in advancing to the next