While unhealthy diet and sedentary behaviors are second only to smoking as the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S., less than 45 percent of adult and pediatric obese patients received any prior advice from a physician to lose weight. The low rate of identification and treatment of obesity by physicians can often be attributed to lack of

Highly Commended in the 2006 British Medical Association Book Awards (Endocrinology) This Second Edition brings together more than 20 internationally recognized experts in the field to provide a timely review of current knowledge. The text remains an invaluable resource for all healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients who are obese. New features of this Second Edition include: Addition of two new co-editors – Professor Bill Dietz, USA and Professor Ian Caterson, Australia Increased number of contributors from around the globe – providing a truly international perspective Includes new information about the causes of obesity, its complications and new (and novel) methods of prevention and treatment Reorganized into sections that address obesity and its social and cultural aspects, biology, associated diseases, life stages (pediatric and adult), management, and environmental and policy approaches

These guidelines make recommendations regarding the management of individuals with a body mass index greater than 25.0 kg/m2 and cover all age groups, from children to the elderly, as well as various patient subsets. A range of measures to yield health benefits are set out, including healthy eating plans, increased physical activity, and behavioral modifications to help patients to manage obesity. In addition, recommendations are made on the use of bariatric surgery and the new antiobesity drugs. Throughout the process of developing the recommendations, every attempt was made to ensure use of a rigorous, evidence-based approach. The guidelines are promoted by the Italian Society of Obesity (SIO) and were formulated in compliance with a prespecified process overseen by a steering committee. They are intended for use by a wide range of clinicians, including general practitioners, primary health care nurses, and primary health care professionals, and will hopefully prove of value in combating the obesity epidemic not only in Italy but across Europe and elsewhere in the world.

Of evidence-based recommendations -- Introduction -- Overweight and obesity: background -- Examination of randomized controlled trial evidence -- Treatment guidelines -- Summary of recommendations -- Future research.

This volume, containing 24 papers and 19 poster papers, reviews the etiology and epidemiology of childhood obesity. It explores genetic and contributory environmental factors. It also describes recent research and educational efforts in prevention of the condition, including programmes aimed at high-risk minority populations.