5310.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - 8:35 PM

Abstract #15171

Implementation of the first Federal clinical guidelines on overweight and obesity in adults

Karen A. Donato, MS, RD, Office of Prevention, Education, and Control, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2480, Buidling 31, Room 4A-16, Bethesda, MD 20892-2480, (301) 496-1051, Donatok@nhlbi.nih.gov

Due to the alarming increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults across all age, gender and race groups, an expert panel was convened to consider an evidence-based approach to the development of Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. This report was issued by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in collaboration with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This presentation will provide the participants with an understanding of how evidence-based methods were used to develop the recommendations included in the Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults: Evidence Report. Information on the determination of the evidence model, inclusion and exclusion criteria to evaluate the evidence, and the grading system used to rank the evidence will be explained. The key recommendations for dealing with weight lost and weight maintenance in overweight and obese patients will be presented. In addition, the classification system for determining overweight and obese patients, treatment algorithm, and issues related to special populations will be discussed. A number of educational materials based on the guidelines and developed for health care providers and their patients will be described.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to: 1) describe the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults and the relationship to other factors, 2) State what constitutes an "evidence-based" clinical guideline, and 3) Describe the clinical approaches to assessing, evaluating, and treating patients overweight and obese patients

Keywords: Obesity, Professional Training

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute--NIH
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA