Management of the Obese Patient

Abstract

Not all obese persons should undertake weight reduction. Only those for whom there is some likelihood of success and in whom undesirable sequelae are unlikely should be encouraged to reduce. A reasonably well-adjusted individual, with a meaningful reason for losing weight and good environmental circumstances, can succeed if the therapist is willing and able to give unjudging, unchastising, nonthreatening, sympathetic support with sound dietary advice in frequent contacts over a period of time. The roots of the obesity problem are psychological, sociological, cultural, economic, and physiological. Prevention is the only real answer.