Here's How RDNs and Other Educators Can Help During the Obesity Epidemic

Aug 9

Written By

Obesity in the United States is only getting worse. It went from 30.5% to 42.4% in the past two decades. How can health care providers help move the needle on obesity? Here are a few of my ideas...

Provide individual as well as group sessions for weight loss. Clients may prefer privacy or may be comfortable sharing and learning from others.
Offer simple solutions for physical activity that are reasonable and achievable for clients.
Avoid judgement about a client’s use of fad diets or fasting. These may be used to jump-start weight loss and may give them a head start on managing their weight.
Refer clients for mental health services if emotional eating is an issue. Pay attention to signs of eating disorders.
Encourage small, sustainable steps. Obesity is a chronic condition that cannot be “fixed” overnight.
Focus on helping children’s groups and parents of children since that is the group with the largest increase over the past 2 decades.

Further resources:

CDC Current Obesity Statistics

https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

CDC Obesity Resources

https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/index.html

BMI Calculator

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm

MyPlate

https://www.myplate.gov/

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/

American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Weight Control