(ARA) - Obesity is on the rise in the United States and kills hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 300,000 preventable deaths each year can be attributed to dietary habits and physical inactivity that lead to obesity. Obesity is second only to tobacco use as the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.

Concerned about what it calls one of the most serious public health problems of our time, the American Medical Association (AMA) is encouraging physicians to help combat this epidemic. The AMA has released a new publication, “Assessment and Management of Adult Obesity: A Primer for Physicians,” to help physicians identify and treat obesity in their patients.

“The statistics on obesity are frightening. When 64 percent of Americans are overweight or obese -- it’s an alarming wake-up call for all physicians,” said Donald J. Palmisano, M.D., J.D., AMA president. “Obesity is a leading indicator for serious health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers. These are medical conditions that physicians are already managing, so it makes sense for physicians to address the underlying cause of these conditions and diseases.” Dr. Palmisano said that physicians should encourage patients to eat healthily and get physical activity.

Obesity is defined as a condition in which excess body fat may compromise a person’s health. One of the methods a physician can use for diagnosing obesity in adults is to calculate an individual’s body mass index (BMI). This is determined by dividing a weight in pounds by height in inches, and multiplying the resulting number by 703. A BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 is considered “overweight,” while “obesity” is defined as a BMI of 30.0 or greater. Other factors should be considered to determine patient obesity.

The AMA recommends that obese patients have the best results for weight loss when they make gradual changes to their lifestyle. Eating 500 to 1,000 calories less per day, and engaging in physical activity, can result in a one to two pound weight loss each week.

Recent research findings indicate that physical activity, even when accumulated in short bouts, such as taking several 10 minute walks throughout the day, can result in significant health and fitness benefits. The eventual goal for most people is 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity five or more days a week, but any increased physical activity is a step in the right direction.

“We want our patients to learn to think differently about what they eat and how they move. This is not a quick-fix weight loss plan. For instance, it’s not realistic to ask an obese patient to run five miles a day, but they need to start somewhere. Patients can think of physical activity in new ways -- such as washing the car, vacuuming the house, walking up an extra flight of stairs or around the block, putting on music and dancing around the living room. Physical activity needs to be practical, and can be fun,” said Dr. Palmisano. “It is never too late to make healthy changes that can have a favorable impact on health.”

According to Dr. Palmisano, patients should consult their physicians and consider them their partners in health. Physicians can work closely with patients to design a program that is appropriate for them.

“Assessment and Management of Adult Obesity: A Primer for Physicians” gives physicians practical advice on evaluating patients for current and potential health risks related to weight, measuring BMI, and offering concrete recommendations for weight management through healthy eating and physical activity. The booklets encourage physicians to improve their communication and counseling skills, and ensure that their office environment is appropriate for overweight and obese patients.

The 10-booklet primer was written by Robert Kushner, M.D., a national expert on obesity. Dr. Kushner is Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Medical Director of the Wellness Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. "With its practical tips and office-based support materials, this AMA primer will help physicians to manage their patients' overweight and obesity condition,” said Kushner. “Physicians learn how to broach the topic of weight loss, initiate an effective treatment program and monitor progress while strengthening the patient-physician relationship."

“Assessment and Management of Adult Obesity: A Primer for Physicians,” is part of the AMA’s ongoing “Roadmaps for Clinical Practice” series and was developed in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Service’s (DHHS) Healthy People 2010 initiative. The primer was funded with a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Courtesy of ARA Content