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Behavioral interventions for the treatment of obesity in women with or at risk for cardiovascular disease

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Abstract

More than one-third of women in the United States are obese. This fact is of particular concern given that obesity contributes to increased risk of several diseases that affect women, including cardiovascular disease. Even modest weight loss, however, can prevent and improve cardiovascular risk factors in obese women. Behavioral interventions for the treatment of obesity that aim to produce weight loss via modification of diet and exercise habits appear to be particularly effective in this regard. This article summarizes research on the effects of behaviorally produced weight loss on cardiovascular risk, principal strategies to improve behavioral weight loss outcomes, and key components of successful long-term weight maintenance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brown Alpert Medical School/The Miriam Hospital, 196 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, 02903, USA

    Dale S. Bond

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  1. Dale S. Bond
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  2. Rena R. Wing
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Correspondence to Dale S. Bond.

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Bond, D.S., Wing, R.R. Behavioral interventions for the treatment of obesity in women with or at risk for cardiovascular disease. Curr Cardio Risk Rep 3, 219–225 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-009-0034-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-009-0034-7

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