Primary Care Tips to Help Patients Lose Weight

The Obesity Problem in the US. Estimates show that two-thirds of Americans are carrying excess weight, and more than half of those are obese. A modest 5% reduction in body weight has been shown to have a positive impact on certain cardiometabolic parameters, including significant decreases in plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, alanine transaminase, and leptin that continued to improve in linear fashion with further weight loss.³

Key Steps for Treating Overweight/Obese Patients. The 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS Guideline for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults provides a detailed algorithm of the guidelines along with explanations of each step.⁴

Problems with Composition of US Diet. The current US diet is substantially out of balance with USDA recommendations for healthy, nutrient-rich foods.⁵ Excess calorie consumption is largely from processed and fast foods that are low in nutritional value, resulting in weight gain. Many people fail to consume enough of specific nutrients through dietary sources, including potassium, calcium, dietary fiber, choline, magnesium, and vitamins A, D, E, and C.

Suggested Food Choices for Weight Loss. The USDA Dietary Guidelines for 2015-2020 recommends patients focus on consuming a balanced mix of high-quality, nutrient-dense foods, within appropriate calorie ranges.⁶

Clinicians Role Key to Support Weight Loss Intentions. Behavior modification strategies are important to achieving and maintaining weight loss for any patient, although the issues vary with each individual. The US Preventive Services Task Force in 2012 recommended an intensive multicomponent behavioral intervention program for patients identified as overweight or obese. Those recommendations are still the mainstays of weight loss management.^7,8