Adult Obesity Management for Primary Care

Background. Along with the global prevalence of obesity, the associated health and economic impacts are rapidly multiplying. The challenge to primary care is to identify and treat obesity as a chronic disease. Patients should receive specific advice about diet, lifestyle, and physical activity rather than a vague or terse recommendation to simply eat less and exercise. Regular monitoring and follow-up visits are critical, as with any chronic disease. When nonpharmacologic methods do not lead to weight loss, select patients should be offered supplementary pharmacotherapy. Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective treatment for some patients with persistent severe obesity or obesity with complications despite nonpharmacologic efforts and medications.