Dealing with obesity as a chronic disease.

Abstract

There are major efforts underway to educate the primary care physician about the health risks of obesity. Obesity is a chronic disease that requires chronic management. We must establish models that allow primary care physicians to participate in the chronic management of obesity, while recognizing that the interest and ability of primary care physicians to participate in obesity management will vary. Three general models of obesity management are proposed for the primary care physician, ranging from minimal evaluation to complete evaluation and treatment. In order for the models to be implemented, we must consider establishing a category of obesity specialists who can develop comprehensive treatment programs to which patients with obesity can be referred, and who can provide leadership and guidance for primary care physicians who are involved in obesity management. The North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO) could help establish obesity specialists and provide a structure to allow them to provide leadership for obesity treatment.