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Obesity is a complex condition that is influenced by various factors such as genetics, behavior, and environment rather than just diet or exercise choices. The condition shares some features with other maladaptive behaviors, and medical management is recommended. In general, clinicians employ lifestyle recommendations as a first step, followed by medication use, followed by options for invasive methods such as surgery. Within non-surgical approaches, behavioral interventions are preferred to initially assessing how best to proceed. Successful behavioral approaches to treat obesity are based on counseling tools used in psychotherapy for conditions like smoking and alcohol abuse. Although research on behavioral approaches to maintaining weight loss is underway, the therapeutic goal is to move towards a patient-centered approach to treat this growing epidemic. This activity reviews the use of behavioral approaches in treating obesity and emphasizes the role of the interprofessional team in improving care for persons with obesity. Objectives: Determine the principles of behavioral approaches to obesity management, including motivational interviewing. Identify the goals and principles of motivational interviewing in a patient encounter, creating ambivalence, eliciting change talk, summarizing, and planning. Evaluate the clinical significance of cognitive-behavioral therapy and its efficacy in treating common eating disorders associated with obesity. Implement collaboration among the interprofessional team to enhance care coordination for persons with obesity. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Obesity is a complex and multifactorial neurobehavioral condition where eating behavior is affected by an imbalance between physiologic and psychological factors. Eating behavior is influenced by environment, senses, stress, emotions, habits, rewards, sleep, eating disorders, and lack of information. Some standard behavioral approaches to obesity treatment include the following: Motivational interviewing (MI) Behavioral therapy (BT) Cognitive therapy (CT) Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) Interpersonal therapy (IT) Acceptance-based therapy (ABT) Eliciting behavioral change is a significant challenge to clinicians in managing obesity, especially with limited time in an office or clinic setting. Among the listed approaches, motivational interviewing (MI) is a collection of behavioral tools proven to evoke change in patients who are ambivalent, reluctant, and otherwise not motivated to change.[1] The success of a weight management plan depends on the patient's willingness to change. A successful encounter utilizing MI techniques would get the patient to think, increase confidence, initiate change, facilitate, and foster continued commitment. The approach helps the patient focus on finding solutions and encourages independence by drawing out their thoughts and ideas. The clinician acts as a guide towards establishing these goals. This activity reviews the importance of MI in obesity management and how clinicians can use MI tools to elicit behavioral change.

Using a behavioral approach to obesity management is an effective way for physicians, surgeons, extenders, dietitians, nurses, pharmacists, counselors, social workers, and other clinicians to coordinate their knowledge as an interprofessional team to produce better weight loss outcomes.[20] As a part of intensive lifestyle interventions, it augments pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery. Care coordination between these health professionals can elevate the care offered to complex patients who have failed initial weight loss measures. Primary care clinicians should be part of an interprofessional team to identify and treat psychiatric disorders associated with obesity and facilitate appropriate referrals. In any setting, clinicians should create an environment where the team prioritizes weight-friendly infrastructure, uses unbiased language, and encourages empathy.