5.31 Obesity Recommendations and Algorithm
Here are the general recommendations given in the guidelines:
Identifying Patients Who Need to Lose Weight
- Calculate BMI and measure waist circumference at annual visit or more frequently
- Use the current cutoff points for overweight (BMI > 25) and obese (BMI > 30)
- Advise overweight/obese adults that the greater the BMI, the higher the risk of heart disease, diabetes and overall death
- Advise patients that lifestyle changes that result in a 3-5% weight loss produce clinically meaningful health benefits ⇒ reducing blood pressure, cholesterol and the need for medications
- Losing more than 3-5% produces even more benefits