Other Treatments for Obesity

Counseling and Behavior Therapy

Consider counseling or behavior therapy if you feel that stress or emotions play a role in your eating habits. ]]>Obesity]]> is often associated with unhelpful thought patterns related to your social image and frustration with attempts to lose weight. Often these thoughts can be a barrier to success. By working with a therapist, you can learn to understand:

When you tend to overeat
Why you tend to overeat
How to combat overeating tendencies

If you are obese and ]]>at risk for diabetes]]> , behavior therapy may help to improve your short-term weight loss.

Therapy can also be beneficial for children and teens who are obese. Kids who are trying to lose weight may get the most benefit from group therapy that focuses on diet and behavior changes.

Weight Loss Programs

Weight loss programs are available in a number of different formats. Some provide only group support. Others provide one-on-one counseling along with meal replacements. Programs are also available online, where you can join a chat room or add your comments to a message board. No matter which format, many people find that getting support is helpful.

References:

American Dietetic Association website. Available at: http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/index.html .

Beers MH, Berkow R. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy . 17th ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co; 1999.

Fauci A. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine . 14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998.

10/21/2008 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Greaves CJ, Middlebrooke A, O'Loughlin L, et al. Motivational interviewing for modifying diabetes risk: a randomised controlled trial. Br J Gen Pract. 2008;58:535-540.

9/25/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Garipağaoğlu M, Sahip Y, Darendeliler F, Akdikmen O, Kopuz S, Sut N. Family-based group treatment versus individual treatment in the management of childhood obesity: randomized, prospective clinical trial. Eur J Pediatr. 2009;168:1091-1099.

Last reviewed July 2010 by ]]>Marcin Chwistek, MD]]>

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.