Weight Management: Overview for Clinicians

An Integrative Approach to Healthy Weight

The etiology of obesity is multi-factorial including genetic, psychosocial, behavioral and environmental factors.  Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight requires attention to all aspects of lifestyle including:

• Nutrition
• Mindful eating
• Increasing physical activity
• Decreasing sedentary time
• Stress reduction
• Adequate sleep.

Strategies found to be helpful for calorie and weight reduction:

• Food intake recording
• Regular weigh-ins
• Commercial diet programs including low-fat diets, low-carbohydrate diets and balanced diets
• Consultation with a dietician for assistance with menu planning or navigating a commercial weight loss plan.

Evidence suggests the following therapies may be helpful for weight management:

• Acupuncture
• Mind-body techniques including hypnosis
• Increased fiber intake in the diet or supplementation with psyllium, methyl-cellulose, guar-gum or flax seed
•  Green tea in beverage or supplement form
•  Counseling including cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing.

Please see the downloads section for more detailed clinician and patient information.

Disclaimer: This information is for general education. Please work with your health care practitioner to use it in the best way possible to promote your health.