Authors' objectives:

This report summarises research evidence on the effectiveness of interventions designed to prevent and treat obesity, and to maintain weight loss.

Authors' recommendations: The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity is an important public health problem contributing to significant excess disease and mortality. Health of the Nation targets on obesity are unlikely to be met. Even modest weight loss is associated with health benefits. Progression of obesity in high-risk children may be prevented by family therapy. Prevention of obesity in adults may be achieved by community-based education programmes linked with financial incentives. Interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour can reduce overweight in children. Behavioural, diet, exercise and drug treatments have all been shown to be effective, to some extent, in treating obesity in adults, particularly when two or more approaches are used in combination. Most people begin to regain weight a few months after treatment. Longer term follow-up and use of maintenance interventions is necessary to sustain weight loss. Surgery is the most effective and possibly cost-effective approach for reducing weight in people with severe obesity.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/ehcb.htm

Year Published: 1997

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: University of York

Contact Address: University of York, York, Y01 5DD, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 1904 321040, Fax: +44 1904 321041,

Contact Name: crd@york.ac.uk

Contact Email: crd@york.ac.uk

Copyright: Centre for Reviews and Dissemination