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Obesity > Patient Education Author: George A. Bray, MD
Editorial changes - 2009-11-18
Author information and module status
Prevention
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Quality Measures Quality Measures

Rationale:

  • Understanding the likely outcome of therapy can help avoid disappointment for both the patient and physician.

Evidence:

  • A stable lower weight, a plateau, occurs with all treatments for obesity (520).
  • A 5% to 10% weight loss will alleviate most risk factors associated with obesity (151; 279; 520; 487).
  • Weight losses of 5% to 10% occur with behavioral therapy (361) and drug herapy (546).
  • Most patients will regain their lost weight, with less than 5% maintaining it over 3 years (520).
  • Surgical weight loss exceeds 5% (277; 339; 547).

Comments:

  • None.
FAQs
George A. Bray, MD, is a speaker for Eli Lilly, Amylin Corp., and Merck & Co., received grants from Merck & Co., and Takeda Pharmaceuticals; and has consulted for Sanofi-Aventis, Merck, and Amylin.
Steven E. Weinberger, MD, FACP, Acting Editor, PIER, has stock holdings in Glaxosmithkline and Abbott.

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