FROM THE ACADEMY Position Paper
Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Interventions for the Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults
ABSTRACT POSITION STATEMENT It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that successful treatment of It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition overweight and obesity in adults requires adoption and maintenance of lifestyle be- and Dietetics that successful treatment of overweight and obesity in adults requires haviors contributing to both dietary intake and physical activity. These behaviors are adoption and maintenance of lifestyle be- influenced by many factors; therefore, interventions incorporating more than one level haviors contributing to both dietary intake of the socioecological model and addressing several key factors in each level may be and physical activity. These behaviors are fl more successful than interventions targeting any one level and factor alone. Registered in uenced by many factors; therefore, in- terventions incorporating more than one dietitian nutritionists, as part of a multidisciplinary team, need to be current and skilled level of the socioecological model and in weight management to effectively assist and lead efforts that can reduce the obesity addressing several key factors in each level epidemic. Using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Evidence Analysis Process and may be more successful than interventions Evidence Analysis Library, this position paper presents the current data and recom- targeting any one level and factor alone. mendations for the treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Evidence on intra- personal influences, such as dietary approaches, lifestyle intervention, pharmacotherapy, and surgery, is provided. Factors related to treatment, such as in- tensity of treatment and technology, are reviewed. Community-level interventions that strengthen existing community assets and capacity and public policy to create envi- ronments that support healthy energy balance behaviors are also discussed. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016;116:129-147.
HE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE evidence focuses as much as possible This Academy position paper includes the is to provide an update to the on systematic reviews and/or meta- authors’ independent review of the litera- 2009 position paper on adult analyses, randomized controlled trials ture in addition to systematic review con- weight management and (RCTs), and other evidence-based ducted using the Academy’sEvidence T ’ incorporate the revised Academy s guidelines. Analysis Process and information from evidence-based adult weight- In 2012, 34.9% of adults in the United the Academy’sEvidenceAnalysisLibrary management guidelines from the Evi- States were obese and another 33.6% (EAL). Topics from the EAL are clearly delineated. For a detailed description of dence Analysis Library (EAL) and the were overweight.2 The high prevalence the methods used in the Evidence Analysis 2013 American Heart Association, of overweight and obesity in the Process, go to www.andevidencelibrary. American College of Cardiology, and United States negatively affects the com/eaprocess. The Obesity Society (AHA/ACC/TOS) health of the population, as obese in- Recommendations are assigned a rat- Guideline for the Management of Over- dividuals are at increased risk for ing by an expert work group based on the weight and Obesity in Adults.1 The developing several chronic diseases, grade of the supporting evidence and the balance of benefit vs harm. Recommen- scope of the paper has been expanded such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular dation ratings are Strong, Fair, Weak, to include a socioecological approach disease (CVD), and certain forms of Consensus, or Insufficient Evidence. 1,3 and provide evidence regarding cancer. Because of its impact on Recommendations can be worded as community-based and policy-level in- health, medical costs, and longevity, conditional or imperative statements. terventions designed to reduce the reducing obesity is considered to be a Conditional statements clearly define a fi prevalence of overweight and obesity public health priority.4 speci c situation and most often are stated as an “if, then” statement, while in communities in the United States. Weight loss of only 3% to 5% that is imperative statements are broadly appli- Within those areas in which various in- maintained has the ability to produce cable to the target population without terventions are described, included clinically relevant health improve- restraints on their pertinence. ments (eg, reductions in triglycerides, Evidence-based information for this and blood glucose, and risk of developing other topics can be found at www. 2212-2672/Copyright ª 2016 by the type 2 diabetes).1 Larger weight loss andevidencelibrary.com and subscriptions Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. for nonmembers can be purchased at reduces additional risk factors of CVD http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2015.10.031 www.andevidencelibrary.com/store.cfm. (eg, low-density and high-density
ª 2016 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. JOURNAL OF THE ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS 129 FROM THE ACADEMY
lipoprotein cholesterol and blood expenditure, in the minimum to meet be outside of awareness, is not associ- pressure) and decreases the need for the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines ated with enhanced satiation, and medication to control CVD and type 2 for Americans (150 minutes per week compensation does not appear to occur diabetes. Thus, a goal of weight loss of of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes over time. 5% to 10% within 6 months is per week of vigorous-intensity physical recommended.1 activity)8 and ideally to meet the FACTORS INFLUENCING EAL Recommendation: “The regis- American College of Sports Medicine’s ENGAGING IN MODERATE- TO tered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) Position Stand for weight-loss mainte- VIGOROUS-INTENSITY PHYSICAL > should collaborate with the individual nance ( 250 minutes/wk of moderate- ACTIVITY regarding a realistic weight-loss goal intensity physical activity),9 and As with food intake, there are internal such as one of the following: up to 2 lb enhance cardiovascular fitness. Preser- and external factors that influence how per week, up to 10% of baseline body vation of changes in lifestyle behaviors much moderate- to vigorous-intensity weight, or a total of 3% to 5% of baseline is required to achieve successful physical activity (MVPA) one engages weight if cardiovascular risk factors weight-loss maintenance.10 in. Internally, physical limitations and (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and discomfort and beliefs about how hyperglycemia) are present.” (Rating: FACTORS INFLUENCING FOOD MVPA influences health have been Strong, Imperative) 13 INTAKE related to amount of MVPA achieved. Mood and, specifically, core affective Eating behavior is generally believed to valence (eg, good/bad feelings) in GOALS OF ADULT OBESITY be influenced by both internal and response to engaging in MVPA are TREATMENT external cues.11,12 Internally, two sys- related to future physical activity.14 While intentional weight loss of at tems have been identified that assist Also as engaging in regular MVPA in- least 3% to 5% improves some clinical with regulating intake.11 The first sys- volves consistently making decisions to parameters,1 to sustain these im- tem is the homeostatic system, in engage in a behavior that requires costs provements, this degree of weight loss which neural, nutrient, and hormonal to achieve the long-term cumulative needs to be maintained. While there is signals allow communication between health benefits, it is theorized that no standard definition for length of the gut, pancreas, liver, adipose tissue, strong executive control and optimized time for maintenance of weight loss for brainstem, and hypothalamus. The brain structures supporting executive it to be considered successful, duration arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus functioning (ie, dorsolateral prefrontal of 1 year is often used.5 While long- integrates these signals and regulates cortex) is an important internal term weight-loss maintenance is one hunger, satiation, and satiety in factor.15 of the challenges in obesity treatment, response to the signals via higher The social and physical environ- it is possible. For example, the Look cortical centers that influence the ments are also believed to be factors AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) sympathetic and parasympathetic ner- that influence engaging in MVPA. How trial, an RCT with >5,000 adults with vous system, gastric motility and hor- supportive other individuals are to type 2 diabetes, reported that 39.3% of mone secretion, and other processes MVPA efforts and the potential inter- the 825 participants who received a relevant to energy homeostasis. The action with others who are active are lifestyle intervention (consisting of a second internal system is the hedonic external factors that can promote reduced-energy dietary and physical system, which is influenced by the physical activity.13 Different physical activity prescription, and a cognitive hedonic (“liking”) and rewarding environmental dimensions, such as behavioral intervention) who lost at (“wanting”) qualities of food and is walkability, land use, public trans- least 10% of their body weight at year 1 regulated by the corticolimbic sys- portation availability, safety, and aes- maintained at least a 10% weight loss at tem.11,12 It is through the hedonic sys- thetics, in residential and/or work year 8, and another 25.8% maintained a tem that environmental cues influence neighborhoods have also been shown 5% to <10% weight loss at year 8.6 consumption.11,12 The hedonic system to influence physical activity.16 Finally, To achieve a reduction in weight that does have a strong impact on intake, as within a home or work setting, the can be sustained over time and is demonstrated in situations when option of engaging in sedentary be- improve cardiometabolic health, eating occurs after reports of satiation haviors, especially those that are obesity treatment ideally produces and when there is no nutrition need screen-based, can also influence changes in lifestyle behaviors that (eg, the dessert effect).12 It is believed MVPA.17 contribute to both sides of energy bal- that cross talk does occur between ance in adults. Thus, the diet should be these two internal systems; however, altered so that reductions in excessive little is known about this process.11 SOCIOECOLOGICAL MODEL OF energy intake and enhancements in Many external factors influence OBESITY INTERVENTION dietary quality occur, so that the like- consumption, but environmental vari- The socioecological model provides a lihood of achieving recommendations ables that appear to greatly influence framework that proposes that multiple provided in the 2010 Dietary Guide- intake are food availability and variety levels of influence can impact energy- lines for Americans (DGA)7 is and energy density and portion size of balance behaviors and weight out- increased. Along with changes in di- food.12 Research has found that when comes. Levels of influence include etary intake, obesity treatment should availability, variety, energy density, and intrapersonal factors, community and encourage increases in physical activ- portion size increase, intake is height- organizational factors, and government ity in order to increase energy ened.12 The increased intake appears to and public policies.18
130 JOURNAL OF THE ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS January 2016 Volume 116 Number 1 FROM THE ACADEMY
Intrapersonal-Level Obesity nutrition therapy (MNT).” (Rating: (1.0 or more to less than 1.4); low Intervention Fair, Imperative) active (1.4 or more to less than 1.6); The vast majority of research forming Once an RDN initiates the nutrition active (1.6 or more to less than 1.9); an evidence-based approach to obesity care process, data about the client (see and very active (1.9 or more to less ” treatment has focused on intervention Figure 1) should be collected to assist than 2.5). (Rating: Consensus, at the individual level, in which treat- in individualizing MNT. An assessment Imperative) “ ment targets intrapersonal-level fac- can include, but is not limited to, di- EAL Recommendation: The RDN tors that assist with changing energy etary intake; social history, including should assess motivation, readiness fi balance behaviors. The nutrition care living or housing situation and socio- and self-ef cacy for weight manage- process, which includes nutrition economic status; and motivation for ment based on behavior change assessment, diagnosis, intervention, weight management. Resting meta- theories and models (such as cognitive- monitoring, and evaluation, represents bolic rate should be determined, and behavioral therapy, transtheoretical an intrapersonal-level of focus. The that, combined with activity level and model, and social cognitive theory/so- ” Academy’s evidence-based adult calculation of usual dietary intake in cial learning theory). (Rating: Fair, weight-management guidelines from terms of energy and nutrient content, Imperative) the EAL focus on obesity treatment can assist with developing dietary pa- at the intrapersonal level, incorpo- rameters that may be appropriate to Dietary Intervention. As treating rating the nutrition care process within target during intervention. In the EAL, obesity requires achieving a state of fi its recommendations. physical activity is listed with food- negative energy balance, all ef ca- and nutrition-related history, and level cious dietary interventions for obesity of physical activity is required to esti- treatment must decrease consump- Assessment. As with any nutrition mate energy needs. To assist with tion of energy. There are many di- assessment, applicable information assessing physical activity, “A Physical etary approaches that can reduce that can assist in the development of Activity Toolkit for Registered Di- energy intake, with some approaches a nutrition diagnosis and intervention etitians: Utilizing Resources of Exercise more greatly reducing intake than for obesity is essential (see Figure 1 is Medicine,” was developed by the others. However, the degree of weight for suggested data to collect for Weight Management and Sports, Car- loss generally reflects the size of the assessment). Determining body mass diovascular, and Wellness Nutrition decrease in energy intake achieved. index (BMI; calculated as kg/m2)is dietetic practice groups, in collabora- Thus, the reduction in energy intake often the first step of obesity treat- tion with the American College of is the primary factor to address in a ment, as it identifies whether a client Sports Medicine. dietary intervention for obesity is overweight or obese. Using the EAL Recommendation: “The RDN treatment.1 As many dietary ap- current criterion for overweight and should assess the following data in or- proaches reduce energy intake, a cli- obesity, individuals with a BMI der to individualize the comprehensive ent’s preference and health and 25.0-29.9 (overweight) or 30 weight-management program for nutrient status should be taken into (obese) should be identified and pro- overweight and obese adults: food- consideration when a dietary inter- vided with obesity treatment.1 Other and nutrition-related history; anthro- vention for obesity treatment is pre- anthropometric and medical mea- pometric measures; biochemical data, scribed.1 See Figure 2 for dietary sures, such as waist circumference, medical tests and procedures; interventions and a summary of the blood pressure, lipids, and glucose, nutrition-focused physical findings; evidence-base regarding ability to should be taken to assess for cardio- and client history.” (Rating: Strong, produce weight loss or not, or vascular risk.1 This will assist with Imperative) whether evidence is lacking for con- matching obesity treatment benefits EAL Recommendation: “The RDN clusions to be drawn. with risk profiles and making appro- should assess the energy intake and EAL Recommendation: “During priate referrals.1 nutrient content of the diet.” (Rating: weight loss, the RDN should prescribe an EAL Recommendation: “The RDN, in Strong, Imperative) individualized diet, including patient collaboration with other health care EAL Recommendation: “If indirect preferences and health status, to achieve professionals, administrators, and/or calorimetry is available, the RDN and maintain nutrient adequacy and public policy decision-makers, should should use a measured resting meta- reduce caloric intake, based on one of the ensure that all adult patients have the bolic rate (RMR) to determine energy following caloric reduction strategies: following measurements at least needs in overweight or obese adults.” 1,200 kcal to 1,500 kcal/day for women annually: height and weight to calcu- (Rating: Consensus, Conditional) and 1,500 to 1,800 kcal/day for men; late BMI; and waist circumference to EAL Recommendation: “If indirect energy deficit of approximately 500 kcal/ determine risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes, calorimetry is not available, the RDN day or 750 kcal/day; one of the evidence- and all-cause mortality.” (Rating: Fair, should use the Mifflin-St. Jeor equation based diets that restricts certain food Imperative) using actual weight to estimate RMR in types (such as high-carbohydrate foods, EAL Recommendation: “The RDN, in overweight or obese adults.” (Rating: low-fiber foods, or high-fat foods) in collaboration with other health care Strong, Conditional) order to create an energy deficit by professionals, administrators, and EAL Recommendation: “The RDN reducedfoodintake.” (Rating: Strong, public policy decision makers, should should multiply the RMR by one of the Imperative) ensure that overweight or obese adults following physical activity factors to EAL Recommendation: “For weight are referred to an RDN for medical estimate total energy needs: sedentary loss, the RDN should advise overweight
January 2016 Volume 116 Number 1 JOURNAL OF THE ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS 131 RMTEACADEMY THE FROM 132 Assess Monitor and Evaluate ORA FTEAAEYO URTO N DIETETICS AND NUTRITION OF ACADEMY THE OF JOURNAL Food- and nutrition-related history Beliefs and attitudes, including food preferences and motivation Beliefs and attitudes, including motivation Food environment, including access to fruits and vegetables Food environment, including access to fruits Dietary behaviors, including eating out and screen time and vegetables Diet experience, including food allergies and dieting history Dietary behaviors, including eating out and Medications and supplements screen time Physical activity Medications and supplements Physical activity Anthropometric measurements