Abstract
Obesity is a chronic condition associated with risk factors for many comorbidities and medical complications and such as some types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases osteoarthritis, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, type-2 diabetes, and different psychopathological disorders and psychosocial issues. (WHO, 2014). Evidence-based strategies to improve weight loss, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce related comorbidities typically integrate different interventions: dietetic, nutritional, physical, behavioral, psychological, and if necessary, pharmacological and surgical ones. Such treatments are implemented in a multidisciplinary context with a clinical team composed of endocrinologists, nutritionists, dietitians, physiotherapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and sometimes surgeons. This review article is an overview of the effectiveness of behavioral change techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that lead to weight loss and aid the treatment of obesity in women.
The goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive survey of studies examining the efficacy of some behavioral change techniques. I identified 2251 studies and reviewed of those a representative sample of 28 studies examining behavior change techniques for weight loss in obese women. From the twenty eight studies included in this review, the twenty six of them, provide weight loss, fat loss or health improvement. Only two of the included studies provide neutral results on weight loss, after the intervention. From these data compiled, I concluded that behavioral change techniques are useful in reducing fat and treating general health. Behavioral change techniques should be a potential tool emerging in the treatment of obesity. Especially cognitive behavioral theory and social cognitive theory, are providing evidence that could be a successful tool for weight loss. However larger randomized control trials on its use in clinical practice and in reaching rural populations are bound to shed more light on the effectiveness of this tool along with spreading awareness among physician and patient communities.
The purpose of this study is to provide a narrative review of the prospective epidemiological evidence in which scientists have provided data on weight loss methods in obese women other than dieting. The main purpose of this study is to identify nutrition behavior therapy and nutrition counseling methods that can increase adherence to recommended dietary behavior or could help in dietary change and lead to weight loss in obese women. Τhe data so far, in relation with weight management and obesity, seems to be incomplete so it is believed that this study will aid in practical application in order to promote weight loss in obese women.