Behavioral treatment of obesity.

Behavioral treatment for obesity seeks to identify and modify eating, activity, and thinking habits that contribute to patients' weight problems. This approach recognizes that body weight is affected by factors other than behavior, which include genetic, metabolic, and hormonal influences. Behavioral treatment helps obese individuals develop a set of skills (eg, a low-fat diet, a high-activity lifestyle, realistic expectations) to regulate weight, even though patients may remain overweight after treatment. This article describes the behavioral treatment of obesity, its short- and long-term results, and methods to improve long-term weight loss.