Are Current Guidelines Perpetuating Weight Stigma? A Weight-Skeptical Approach to the Care of Patients with Obesity.

Abstract

Significant controversy exists regarding the evidence to support the clinical benefits and risks of weight loss interventions for individuals with obesity. United States Preventative Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines recommend weight loss for all individuals with obesity while weight-neutral models such as Health at Every Size promote weight inclusivity, focusing on body acceptance rather than weight loss. We discuss how lifestyle-based weight-centric paradigms, such as the USPSTF Guidelines, may increase weight stigma and weight cycling, and many of their purported clinical benefits are not supported by existing evidence. However, we also acknowledge the clear benefits of metabolic surgery in high-risk individuals, and the potential benefits for pharmacotherapy for obesity in selected patients. Herein we describe a weight-skeptical approach to the care of patients with obesity that aims to use available evidence to support patient-centered care.