Adherence
Intensive, multicomponent behavioral interventions for adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) produce moderate net benefits by achieving clinically significant weight loss and reducing type 2 diabetes incidence, with small to no harms.
If you have a BMI of 30 or higher, ask your doctor for a referral to an intensive behavioral weight loss program. These programs typically involve at least 12 sessions in the first year and focus on diet, exercise, and self-monitoring. While the average weight loss is modest (around 2.4 kg or 5.3 lbs), these interventions significantly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and have very few side effects.
The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that offering or referring adults with obesity to intensive behavioral interventions or behavior-based weight loss maintenance interventions has a moderate net benefit.
Why this rating
Moderate certainty based on adequate evidence from multiple trials, though heterogeneity exists.
Source
Behavioral Weight Loss Interventions to Prevent Obesity-Related Morbidity and Mortality in Adults
US Preventive Services Task Force et al. · JAMA · 2018
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