Behavioral Medicine Review: Weight Control in a Land of Milk and Honey

Abstract

Obesity and its cardiometabolic comorbidities are on a skyrocketing trajectory with ominous public health implications. Focusing on primary care as a microcosm of the broader obesity crisis, this review discusses considerations for the prevention and management of obesity and its associated risks.

Recalibrating America’s Activity Habits: The Saga Continues

“…Particularly when individuals perceive that their freedom of choice is limited by external forces or authorities (such as the government), at least a certain proportion of residents may be inclined to reassert their own sense of personal autonomy in as yet unpredictable ways. 41,68 The Future…”

“…Particularly when individuals perceive that their freedom of choice is limited by external forces or authorities (such as the government), at least a certain proportion of residents may be inclined to reassert their own sense of personal autonomy in as yet unpredictable ways. 41,68 The Future Developing effective ecological models that successfully account for the complex interactions among individuals and their contexts will be critical to the success of these innovative approaches for activity promotion. As the evidence-based understanding of multilevel interactions evolves, ecological models will no doubt come closer to realizing their healthenhancing potential.…”

Clinical Implications of Impaired Sleep

“…In an environment saturated by unremitting cues for imprudent eating, more time awake may translate into more screen time and contact with predatory junk food advertising and other situational dynamics that promote health-detrimental food choices. 150,153,249 Of course, nutrient-void diets also may lead to sleep-derailing feelings of malaise. Hence, reciprocal synergistic influences are likely.…”

“…Providers may perceive a lack of time, expertise, and resources to provide behavioral treatments. 41,68,131,249,271,275 Even if nonpharmacological options are offered, some patients may request medications for more rapid symptom relief compared with the somewhat slower-to-emerge benefits produced by sustained behavior modification. For such patients, accepting and adhering to lifestyle recommendations may be especially challenging, particularly if insurance reimbursements privilege less costly prescriptions over nonpharmacological care that typically demands more dedicated resources (eg, provider and/or staff time and expense).…”

Resistance Training for Women’s Health

“…T he past decade has witnessed a blizzard of accumulating evidence documenting exercise's broadspectrum benefits. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Although resistance training (RT) has long been supported as part of a balanced approach to total fitness, 1,11,12 aerobic exercise has tended to garner the lion's share of attention, especially among women. 13,14 Consequently, RT's salutogenic implications for women's health remain largely underappreciated by professionals and the public at large.…”