Cognitive-behavioural approaches and weight management: an overview

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity has been on the increase and, on the whole, improvements in patient education have not led to the desired outcome of weight maintenance - let alone weight loss. For some time therapeutic techniques derived from behavioural psychology, such as self-monitoring, stimulus control and goal setting, have been incorporated as adjuncts to the treatment of weight problems - intended to help obese people make positive changes to their eating and activity habits. In more recent decades, behaviour modification approaches have also incorporated strategies from cognitive therapy, which have involved the identification and modification of `dysfunctional' thinking patterns and consequent negative mood states; hence the term 'cognitive behaviour therapy' (CBT). There is increasing interest in adopting CBT approaches to achieve more modest and sustainable weight loss and improved psychological well-being. It is possible to train non-psychologists to use CBT strategies, though the level of training required for effective delivery has not yet been established. While CBT is not a panacea for problems of overweight it does offer additional treatment choice for some - and is compatible, as an adjunct, with other forms of obesity management.