Biopsychosocial Exercise Prescription for Weight Control: A Frontline Perspective

Abstract

O verweight and obesity affect more than one-third of the world's population. 1,2 Should current trends continue, it is projected that an estimated 38% of the world's adult population will be overweight and another 20% will be obese by 2030. 3 In the United States, projections based on recent trends forecast that nearly 50% of adults will be obese by 2030. 4 The National Weight Control Registry is the largest prospective investigation of long-term successful weight loss maintenance (WLM). This registry includes the behavioral and psychological characteristics of >10,000 people who have lost at least 30 lb and have kept the weight off for at least 1 year. Studies from the registry have identified that a program of regular exercise is a key characteristic of individuals who have been successful with WLM. [5][6][7] Most National Weight Control Registry subjects reported engaging in >1 hour of moderate-intensity physical activity per day. 6 Population studies on long-term WLM demonstrate a positive correlation between the amount of exercise completed and the percentage of maintained weight loss. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Because exercise must be ongoing to be effective, this perspective explores the importance of considering the biopsychosocial model and contextual factors when prescribing exercise for weight control as a means of enhancing exercise adherence and improving health outcomes.