Behavioral interventions for the treatment of obesity in women with or at risk for cardiovascular disease
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Corresponding author Dale S. Bond, PhD Brown Alpert Medical School/The Miriam Hospital, 196 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA. E-mail: [email protected]
main components of behavioral interventions for treatment of obesity; and 4) highlight key behavioral components of successful long-term weight loss maintenance.
Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports 2009, 3:219–225 Current Medicine Group LLC ISSN 1932-9520 Copyright © 2009 by Current Medicine Group LLC
Epidemiology and Health Consequences of Obesity in Women
More than one-third of women in the United States are obese. This fact is of particular concern given that obesity contributes to increased risk of several diseases that affect women, including cardiovascular disease. Even modest weight loss, however, can prevent and improve cardiovascular risk factors in obese women. Behavioral interventions for the treatment of obesity that aim to produce weight loss via modification of diet and exercise habits appear to be particularly effective in this regard. This article summarizes research on the effects of behaviorally produced weight loss on cardiovascular risk, principal strategies to improve behavioral weight loss outcomes, and key components of successful longterm weight maintenance.
Introduction The prevalence of obesity has increased markedly in women in the United States over recent decades. This trend carries important health implications, particularly with respect to cardiovascular health. Obesity negatively affects cardiovascular function and is associated with a host of secondary metabolic and cardiovascular pathologies that collectively increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Weight loss, however, can prevent or improve many obesity-related risk factors for CHD. Behavioral, or lifestyle, interventions that aim to modify eating and activity behaviors in order to change body weight are particularly successful in preventing and reducing traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors. The main objectives of this article are to 1) describe the impact of obesity on CVD; 2) examine the effects of behaviorally produced weight loss on cardiovascular risk in obese individuals; 3) identify strategies used to enhance the
Obesity has reached pandemic proportions. In the United States, nearly one-third of adults are obese (defi ned as body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m 2), including 34% of women [1]. The prevalence of obesity in women varies considerably by race/ethnicity. Obesity affects about 54% of non-Hispanic black women and 30% of white women. Obesity rates also differ by level of socioeconomic status, with women of low socioeconomic status being disproportionately affected [1]. The high prevalence of obesity has important implications for women’s health. Obesity is associated with a variety of diseases and ailments affecting women, including breast and endometrial cancers, urinary incontinence, menstrual irregularities, polycystic ovary syndrome, pregnancy complications, depression, and osteoarthritis. Prospective analyses adjusted for age
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