Secondly, we want to educate Americans about sound methods for achieving a healthy body weight, including prevention of weight gain. Our third goal is to increase cooperation among national community organizations committed to advancing healthy weight through sensible eating and increased physical activity as major public health priorities. Finally, we want to mobilize health care providers to combat obesity through education, treatment, and reimbursements for weight loss and exercise programs. Since our inception in 1994, we have undertaken projects in line with these goals. This document is an educational resource for physicians, to help them identify and treat adult obesity.
Obesity is a chronic disease.
The underlying causes of obesity are not fully understood, though obesity appears to be a complex, multifactorial disease. Physicians are in an excellent position to identify and intervene with patients who are clearly at risk and who could benefit from either prevention of weight gain or a modest weight reduction. As a result of overwhelming consumer response to the physician's document, we released a consumer-focused document in September 1997. Titled Healthy Weight, Healthy Living, it is an educational resource designed to help adults understand the serious health risks of obesity and to encourage them to form a supportive partnership with their doctors. These partnerships will help them improve their health and quality of life through weight loss or prevention of further weight gain.