THE REALISTIC TREATMENT OF OBESITY - CHANGING THE SCALES OF SUCCESS

Patients and practitioners are confronted with mixed messages about the value of obesity treatment. Serious treatment is supported by the medical consequences associated with obesity. Abandoning current treatment is suggested by a lack of long-term efficacy. We suggest a reevaluation of the assumptions and practices of obesity treatment. Empirical support for changing our current thinking about obesity treatment is presented. This change in philosophy and practice is based on five factors: (a) targeting those at highest medical risk; (b) acknowledging the role of biological factors in treatment goals; (c) addressing the psychological heterogeneity of obese persons; (d) setting reasonable expectations for long-term outcome; and (e) assessing the benefits and risks of weight loss. It is suggested that these factors promote a more realistic view of obesity treatment and allow practitioners and clients to make more informed decisions about the benefits and risks of treatment.