Promoting Sustainable Behavior Change in Body Weight Control

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Jose Camolas (Author) Other; Osvaldo Santos (Author) Other; Pedro Moreira (Author) FCNAUP; Isabel do Carmo (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Acta Medica Portuguesa

Vol. 27 No. 4

Pages: 99-107

ISSN: 0870-399X

Publisher: Ordem dos Medicos

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

CORDIS: Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-7MB

Abstract (EN): There is a wide acknowledgement of obesity as a relevant clinical entity. Such relevance can be inferred by the huge worldwide amount of research and related health promotion and clinical efforts. Though the evidence sustains some cues for the therapeutic success, the overall long-term effectiveness of obesity treatment tends to be not so satisfactory. Scientific literature is not unequivocal in key areas of nutritional intervention, such as the magnitude of caloric restriction, proportion of macronutrients, meal frequency, among others. The same applies to the area of physical activity recommendation for weight control. As a correlate of this scenario of incertitude, there is a proliferation of interventions and there is a clear need to integrate the scientific and clinical evidence. This paper presents a narrative literature review of key issues of clinical practice in obesity, regarding a set of actions that, in the overall, have as main purpose the promotion of reduction and/or control of body weight. The role of the health professional is highlighted as a facilitator of acquisition of habits that favor weight control, by integrating the professional's scientific knowledge with the patient's readiness for and capacity to change.

Language: Portuguese

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9