Obesity treatment: research and application

This paper reviews the research that reports (a) some of the physical and social considerations in treating the obese, (b) characteristics that identify overeaters and some implications for treatment, and (c) treatment settings and personnel who treat the obese. It then examines three major treatment approaches utilized by social workers and other health care professionals and reports findings on the effectiveness of each. Finally, it describes one weight reduction treatment program in which social work intervention is viewed as a central and vital component. In conclusion, issues for the practitioner's further consideration regarding intervention with this population are presented.