![]() One of the best predictors of success in the long-term management of overweight and obesity is the ability to develop and sustain an exercise program (Jakicic et al., 1995, 1999 Klem et al., 1997 McGuire et al., 1998, 1999 Schoeller et al., 1997). Increased physical activity is an essential component of a comprehensive weight-reduction strategy for overweight adults who are otherwise healthy. A brief discussion of public policy measures that may help prevent overweight and assist those who are trying to lose weight or maintain weight loss is also included. In addition, the elements of successful weight maintenance also will be reviewed since the difficulty in maintaining weight loss may contribute to the overweight problem. This chapter reviews the efficacy and safety of strategies for weight loss, as well as the combinations of strategies that appear to be associated with successful loss. It is these factors that are the target of weight-management strategies. Rather, the behavioral and environmental factors that conspire to induce individuals to engage in too little physical activity and eat too much relative to their energy expenditure must take most of the blame. However, genetics cannot account for the increase in overweight observed in the U.S. The percentage of individuals who lose weight and successfully maintain the loss has been estimated to be as small as 1 to 3 percent (Andersen et al., 1988 Wadden et al., 1989).Įvidence shows that genetics plays a role in the etiology of overweight and obesity. ![]() While hundreds, if not thousands, of weight-loss strategies, diets, potions, and devices have been offered to the overweight public, the multi-factorial etiology of overweight challenges practitioners, researchers, and the overweight themselves to identify permanent, effective strategies for weight loss and maintenance. ![]() ![]() However, as discussed in Chapter 3, overweight and obesity are clearly the result of a complex set of interactions among genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. The principle of weight gain is simple: energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. ![]()
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