Optimizing patient education for people with obesity: possible use of the autobiographical approach

To review recent results of the current approaches to the education of obese people, focusing on the motivation for healthy behaviors, and to present the narrative-autobiographical approach as a possible tool in the education of obese people.

Our overview will necessarily be partial, and limited to some studies that succeeded in improving the motivation for healthy lifestyles in people with overweight or obesity. We will also describe the use of the autobiographical approach in the "Io-muovo-la-mia-vita" project.

Many studies have induced relevant behavioral changes, mainly by using intensive interventions. Weight loss maintenance has been difficult and usually has required pro-active follow-up interventions. The use of self-writing may allow overweight and obese people to reveal their inner feelings to themselves and to peers, and may reinforce their motivation for self-care.

The association of weight loss with intensive interventions, and the need for follow-up pro-active interventions to maintain results make one wonder whether the inner motivation of participants is usually fostered as recommended.

The narrative-autobiographical approach appears to be a proper way to patient centered care, but for an effective practice, the human and relational attitudes of healthcare professionals should be integrated with specific educational skills.