Interdisciplinary Approach to Obesity

Abstract

Obesity can nowadays be considered a disease with a multifactorial origin. Genes, socioeconomic status, dietary patterns, and psychological profile are only some of the factors that may lead to excess body weight and its deleterious outcomes. A correct assessment of an obese patient cannot be merely limited to weight evaluation, it must consider other aspects such as, among others, biochemical parameters, clinical conditions, and physical fitness. Given its complexity, it has been demonstrated that a multidisciplinary approach is more effective than a single-clinician one in terms of weight loss and comorbidities improvement. Ideally, an obesity management team should be composed of several health professionals such as endocrinologist, clinical nutritionist, a psychiatrist, a bariatric surgeon, and a physiatrist together with other health professionals (i.e., dietitian, psychologist, physiotherapist, nurse). In order to manage every obese subject in an effective manner, different levels of care should be considered: primary care, outpatient clinics held by a multidisciplinary equipe, day hospital, residential rehabilitation treatment, and hospitalization. Although an interdisciplinary approach is advisable in treating obesity, some disadvantages must be considered. In case of a defective communication among team members, there is a risk of losing the full picture of the patient who in turn could receive conflicting advice from each health professional. Moreover, multidisciplinary approach is much more time-consuming than a diet-only treatment, limiting its accessibility to those whose schedules are very flexible. In conclusion, an interdisciplinary approach is to be considered the treatment of choice in the obese patient, but a lot is still to be improved, especially in terms of health professionals’ education to teamwork.