Abstract
It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that successful treatment
of overweight and obesity in adults requires adoption and maintenance of lifestyle
behaviors contributing to both dietary intake and physical activity. These behaviors
are influenced by many factors; therefore, interventions incorporating more than one
level of the socioecological model and addressing several key factors in each level
may be more successful than interventions targeting any one level and factor alone.
Registered dietitian nutritionists, as part of a multidisciplinary team, need to be
current and skilled in weight management to effectively assist and lead efforts that
can reduce the obesity epidemic. Using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Evidence
Analysis Process and Evidence Analysis Library, this position paper presents the current
data and recommendations for the treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Evidence
on intrapersonal influences, such as dietary approaches, lifestyle intervention, pharmacotherapy,
and surgery, is provided. Factors related to treatment, such as intensity of treatment
and technology, are reviewed. Community-level interventions that strengthen existing
community assets and capacity and public policy to create environments that support
healthy energy balance behaviors are also discussed.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 21, 2015
Footnotes
This Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics position was adopted by the House of Delegates Leadership Team on October 20, 1996 and reaffirmed on September 12, 1999; June 30, 2005; and March 23, 2012. This position is in effect until December 31, 2020. Position papers should not be used to indicate endorsement of products or services. All requests to use portions of the position or republish in its entirety must be directed to the Academy at [email protected]
Reviewers: Sharon Denny, MS, RD (Academy Knowledge Center, Chicago, IL); Research dietetic practice group (Ashley Jarvis, MS, RDN, Food Surveys Research Group, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD); Weight Management dietetic practice group (Juliet M. Mancino, MS, RDN, CDE, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA); Melinda M. Manore, PhD, RD, CSSD, FACSM (Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR); Karin Pennington, MS, RDN, LD, FAND (The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL); Alison Steiber, PhD, RD (Academy Research & Strategic Business Development, Chicago, IL).
Academy Positions Committee Workgroup: Christine A. Rosenbloom, PhD, RDN, LD, CSSD, FAND (chair) (Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA); Karen R. Greathouse, PhD, RDN, LDN (Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL); Angela Makris, PhD, RD (content advisor) (Consultant, Huntingdon Valley, PA).
We thank the reviewers for their many constructive comments and suggestions. The reviewers were not asked to endorse this position or the supporting paper.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
