Recommendations Summary
Adult Weight Management (AWM) Realistic Weight Goal Setting
Click here to see the explanation of recommendation ratings (Strong, Fair, Weak, Consensus, Insufficient Evidence) and labels (Imperative or Conditional). To see more detail on the evidence from which the following recommendations were drawn, use the hyperlinks in the Supporting Evidence Section below.
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Recommendation(s)
AWM: Realistic Weight Goals
Individualized goals of weight loss therapy should be to reduce body weight at an optimal rate of 1-2 lbs per week for the first 6 months and to achieve an initial weight loss goal of up to 10% from baseline. These goals are realistic, achievable, and sustainable.
Rating: Strong
Imperative
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Risks/Harms of Implementing This Recommendation
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Conditions of Application
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Potential Costs Associated with Application
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Recommendation Narrative
- Overweight and obese patients in well-designed programs can achieve a weight loss of as much as 10% of baseline weight, a weight loss that can be maintained for a sustained period of time (1 year or longer). NHLBI Evidence Category A.
- Weight loss at the rate of 1-2 lbs per week (calorie deficit of 500 to 1000 kcal/day) commonly occurs for up to 6 months, at which point weight loss begins to plateau unless a more restrictive regimen is implemented. NHLBI Evidence Category B.
- The initial goal of weight loss therapy should be to reduce body weight by approximately 10% from baseline. With success, further weight loss can be attempted if indicated through further assessment. NHLBI Evidence Category A.
- Weight loss should be 1-2 lbs/week for a period of 6 months, with the subsequent strategy based on the amount of weight lost. NHLBI Evidence Category B.
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Recommendation Strength Rationale
- NHLBI Evidence Categories of A and B
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Minority Opinions
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Supporting Evidence
The recommendations were created from the evidence analysis on the following questions. To see detail of the evidence analysis, click the blue hyperlinks below (recommendations rated consensus will not have supporting evidence linked).