Obesity management by life-style strategies

This chapter discusses lifestyle management strategies for obesity in adults and is based on an assumption that treatment, resulting in appropriate and sustained weight loss, is of benefit to individuals. It examines dietary management strategies including the use of very low calorie diets, moderate energy restriction and individual and group approaches in commercial and non-commercial environments. It explores the role of physical activity in the treatment of obesity in particular focusing on the associated health benefits and the increasing evidence of the importance of physical activity in weight maintenance. It discusses the effect of behavioural interventions on acheiving and maintaining weight loss and briefly offers suggestions for the organisation of lifestyle interventions.