National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
March 2001 Edition
Aim for a Healthy Weight
More than ever, Americans need to aim for a healthy weight. Recent statistics from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) show that between 1994 and 1999 the U.S. experienced a 5 percent increase in the number of adults who are overweight or obese. This is 61 percent of the U.S. adult population - almost 108 million people - who because of their weight are at greater risk for several major diseases including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.
To address this situation, NHLBI's Obesity Education Initiative (OEI) has prepared several practical tools for health professionals to aid in the identification, assessment, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Based on a comprehensive, evidence report and clinical guidelines released by NHLBI in 1998, these tools have been designed for the busy health professional, patients, and the public. Tools are available for a variety of settings, including the clinic, the classroom, and the community.
ONLINE RESOURCES
This Web site provides information for patients, the public, and health professionals. Use this electronic information without further permission on your Web sites or copy it and email it to clients, colleagues, and friends!
The patient pages include: a Body Mass Index calculator, an interactive personalized menu planner,shopping ideas, recipes, healthy dining out tips, and a guide to physical activity .
The professional pages include succinct and practical online and point-of-care reference tools for download and use, including:
OEI Treatment Guidelines Implementation Tool for Palm OS
This simple, easy-to-use program puts the Guidelines in the palm of your hand.
The tool's interactive design allows you to instantly generate individualized and evidence-based assessment and treatment recommendations for each patient at the point-of-care. Features include:
Body Mass Index calculation
Assessment of cardiovascular disease risk factors
Determination of need for treatment
Individualized weight loss goals
Individualized treatment recommendations (lifestyle therapy, pharmacotherapy, and surgery options)
Follow-up and maintenance recommendations
Evidence-based supporting information available throughout
Online References on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults
Get full text versions of OEI professional reference publications (see below) online.
Evaluation and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults Slide Show
The Clinical Guidelines Evidence Report has been made into a slide show for use in medical education. This slide show consists of six sections: Clinical Guidelines Core Set, Evidence-Based Methodology, Background Data, Practical Tips, Special Considerations, and Future Research. Presenters will be able to focus their presentation accordingly.
PUBLICATIONS
Click the links below for more information on these print publications and to order your own copy.
Based on the Evidence Report (see below), this guide offers practical information on dietary therapy, physical activity, and behavior therapy. It also provides guidance on the appropriate use of pharmacotherapy and surgery as treatment options. An innovative feature of the guide is a tear out quick reference guide to help practitioners assess, classify, and treat overweight and obese patients. Reproducible tip sheets for patients are included in the guide.
The first published guidelines to address overweight and obesity developed by the Federal government. Recommendations are based on an extensive review of the scientific literature by an Expert Panel and address key clinical questions related to disease risk and treatment strategies. The resulting guidelines present a new approach for the assessment of overweight and obesity and establish principles of safe and effective weight loss.
This packet includes practical information for patients on dietary therapy, physical activity, and behavior therapy. Materials include guides for choosing and preparing healthy foods, sample menus, a food exchange list, a physical activity guide, a behavior change guide, and a food activity diary.
Order online at http://emall.nhlbihin.net , or contact the NHLBI Health Information Center at phone (301) 592-8573 or email nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov.
All materials mentioned in this bulletin are in the public domain, and may be used, reproduced, and/or linked to without further permission. Please cite NHLBI as the source, and note the date of publication, where stated.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Hearts N' Parks is a national, community-based program supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). It combines science-based information about lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of heart disease, with the skills for incorporating heart-healthy behaviors into one's life as part of the regular activities offered by local park and recreation departments and other community-based agencies. In addition, the program provides useful tools for measuring the impact of these activities.
Interested in becoming a Hearts N' Parks community site? If you and would like more information about bringing the Hearts N' Parks program to your area, contact the National Recreation and Park Association at programs@nrpa.orgor at 1-800-649-3042. Program materials will be available in late Spring 2001.
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