Research to practice series ; no. 7

Overweight and obesity are complex health problems that affect more than two-thirds of U.S. adults. There are many health conditions associated with overweight and obesity including hypertension, coronary heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.2 Therefore, it is likely that health care practitioners will be advising overweight or obese individuals who also have additional health conditions. The challenge for many practitioners is choosing an appropriate weight management therapy that will simultaneously address these multiple health conditions. Fortunately, lifestyle changes including healthy eating patterns, increased physical activity, and weight management often improve the risk factors associated with obesity.

One such lifestyle approach, Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) is recommended by various health organizations (American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, and The Obesity Society, among others) as a sound therapeutic strategy for overweight or obese persons at risk for type 2 diabetes and/or coronary heart disease

CS121587

r2p_life_change.pdf

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection