Clinical Practice Guideline - Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults

Recommendation Summary:

Asuris supports the recommendations of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the content of the latest (1998) version of the evidence report entitled Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults.

Web Site Link:

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute:  Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults

Key Points:

The NHLBI report provides evidence based guidelines for physicians, other health care practitioners, and health care organizations with recommendations regarding effective strategies to evaluate and treat overweight and obesity in adults.

Assessment:

• The panel members are recognized experts practicing in a variety of professional settings.
• Recommendations are based on a well-defined, comprehensive scientific literature search.
• Methods used to select appropriate scientific literature are well defined.
• The San Antonio Cochrane Center, a globally recognized group of EBM experts, assisted in preparation of the evidence tables.
• The methods used to critically appraise the evidence supporting guideline recommendations are transparent. 
• The guidelines clearly state the strength of the evidence for which recommendations are based. 
• 115 external reviewers from 59 government agencies, professional societies, and consumer groups evaluated and commented on the guideline prior to publication.
• Sources of funding:
  • Primarily NHLBI, with cooperation of National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health.
  • No conflict of interest statements for panel members are included in the evidence report.

Conclusion:

The NHLBI guideline is based on both scientific evidence and, where evidence is lacking, panel consensus judgment.  This guideline reflects the current standard of care for obesity.  The guideline clearly indicates the strength of evidence supporting each recommendation. 

Guideline Adoption and Recommended Use: 

This guideline has been adopted based on nationally recognized sources.  This guideline is based on the most recent medical evidence available at the time of the report or on a consensus of panel experts. Asuris adopts guidelines to help practitioners and members make decisions about appropriate health care for specific conditions. Guidelines are not a substitute for the advice of a physician. The following organizations endorse the evidence report:

• National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)
• National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP)
• NIDDK National Task Force on the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity

Benefit Determination: 

Benefit determinations should be based in all cases on the applicable contract language. To the extent that there are any conflicts between these guidelines and the contract language, the contract language will control.

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