Treatment of obesity: theory into practice

The purpose of the present paper is to outline the current situation in the management of obesity in adults, and to make some suggestions as to how he alth professionals involved in obesity treatment can best address this grow ing problem. Dietitians and nutritionists have long been involved in the tr eatment of obesity, and have a vital role to play in the battle to reverse the increasing prevalence of this major public health problem. However, the current management of obesity is far from ideal. There is evidence to sugg est that in general health care, even when then are clearly effective clini cal interventions, health professionals may not practise in the best way. F urthermore, some professionals may also hold negative attitudes towards the obese. These are the subject of a systematic review on improving health pr ofessionals' practice and organization of care in obesity treatment, the pr eliminary findings of which will be discussed in the present paper (Harvey et al. 1998a,b). A new approach to obesity is required, encompassing effect ive treatment and prevention strategies. A greater understanding of the pro blems faced by the obese individual in attempting to lose weight is also ne eded, with a range of treatment approaches on offer to acknowledge the hete rogeneity of obesity. Those health professionals involved in obesity treatm ent must consider the impact of dietary advice given in a consultation agai nst the impact of environmental cues that assail the patient as soon as the y leave the room. Tackling the obesity epidemic requires action at the indi vidual and population level if we are to see any reduction in prevalence.