Long-term weight loss maintenance for obesity: a multidisciplinary approach

Area of Science:

• Obesity Medicine
• Behavioral Science
• Lifestyle Interventions

Background:

• Long-term obesity weight management is difficult, with high rates of failure and weight regain.
• Despite challenges, many individuals achieve successful long-term weight loss maintenance.
• Factors influencing maintenance include behavioral, cognitive, and personality traits, alongside patient-therapist interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review factors associated with successful long-term weight loss maintenance.
• To highlight the importance of lifestyle modification-based approaches for obesity management.
• To emphasize the role of nonphysician lifestyle counselors within multidisciplinary teams.

Main Methods:

• Review of long-term observational and randomized studies on weight management.
• Analysis of behavioral, cognitive, and personality factors linked to weight loss maintenance.
• Evaluation of recent lifestyle modification protocols with extended post-weight loss treatment.

Main Results:

• High physical activity, low-fat diets, and frequent self-monitoring are key behavioral factors.
• Reduced disinhibition, satisfaction, and self-efficacy are important cognitive components.
• Prolonged lifestyle modification programs demonstrate promising long-term weight loss results.

Conclusions:

• A lifestyle modification-based approach is crucial for effective obesity management.
• Nonphysician lifestyle counselors are pivotal in multidisciplinary obesity treatment teams.
• Obesity physicians play key roles in patient engagement, supervision, and managing complications or advanced treatments.