Optimal health, not an "ideal" weight, should be the goal for patients with obesity and the approach should be gradual, incremental.
According to Donna Ryan, MD, professor emerita at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University and well-known obeisty researcher, goals for weight loss should be modest, incremental, and focused on improving metabolic health.
Dr Ryan also is current president of the World Obesity Federation and associate editor of the journal Obesity.
She has been an investigator for various US National Institutes of Health-sponsored studies, including Pounds Lost, DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), DPP (Diabetes Prevention Program) and the Look AHEAD study. Dr. Ryan’s continuing interests focus on translation of effective weight management into primary care practices.
Other videos featuring Dr Ryan
Opening the Obesity Conversation in Primary Care