Weight loss: Lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy

Abstract Obesity is a chronic and relapsing disease that requires a multidimensional approach to support patients as they commit to the lifestyle changes required to lose weight. Beyond bariatric surgery, effective lifestyle interventions, incorporating dietary, exercise, and behavioral therapies can be implemented in clinic settings. Lifestyle interventions have been shown to achieve approximately 5%–10% loss of baseline weight and have resulted in prevention or amelioration of chronic disease. Additionally, there are currently available medications that can augment lifestyle changes to further boost weight loss. This chapter will highlight some of the clinical practices that can be adopted to implement these therapies. Topics covered include initial history and physical exam, motivational approach, lifestyle program components, including diet, physical activity and behavior modification, pharmacotherapy, plus weight maintenance.