Adherence
Broadening obesity treatment goals beyond weight loss to include obesity-related diseases, health-related quality of life (HrQoL), body image, and weight bias internalization (WBI) improves patient-centered care and treatment adherence.
When starting obesity treatment, discuss your goals beyond just weight loss. Ask your provider about improvements in energy, pain, mood, or disease markers. If you are motivated by appearance, be open about this so your care team can address body image concerns proactively, which may include counseling. This helps ensure the treatment plan aligns with what matters most to you, increasing your chances of sticking with it.
Clarifying patients’ goals in these areas and aligning treatments accordingly can promote patient-centered care.
Why this rating
Based on a comprehensive review of recent literature, consensus statements, and clinical trials.
Source
Beyond the Scale: Setting Goals for Outcomes Beyond Weight in Evidence-based Obesity Treatment
Leah M. Schumacher et al. · Current Obesity Reports · 2026
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