AWM: Introduction (2014)

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AWM: Introduction (2014)

Guideline Overview

Guideline Title

Adult Weight Management (2014) Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline

Guideline Narrative Overview

The focus of this guideline is on medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for adult weight management.

The primary goals of MNT for adult weight management include weight loss, weight maintenance, and prevention of weight gain.

Guideline Development

This guideline is intended for use by registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) involved in providing medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for adult weight management. The application of the guideline must be individualized to assist the RDN to successfully integrate MNT into the overall medical management of overweight/obese adults. The recommendations in the guideline are based on a systematic review of the literature and the work performed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Expert Working Group on Adult Weight Management, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrition Evidence Library (NEL), and the American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC)/The Obesity Society (TOS).
 
Recommendations include:
  • Screening and Referral for MNT
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy
  • Duration and Frequency of MNT
  • Incorporating Telenutrition Interventions
  • Weight Management for Older Adults
  • Assess Data to Individualize the Comprehensive Weight Management Program
  • Assess Motivation for Weight Management
  • Assess Energy Needs
  • Assess Energy Intake and Nutrient Content of the Diet
  • Realistic Weight Goal Setting
  • Components of a Comprehensive Weight Management Program
  • Caloric Reduction and Nutrient Adequacy
  • Dietary Approaches for Caloric Reduction
  • Eating Frequency and Meal Patterns
  • Portion Control and Meal Replacements/Structured Meal Plans
  • Encourage Physical Activity
  • Multiple Behavior Therapy Strategies
  • Coordination of Care
  • Monitor and Evaluate the Effectiveness of the Comprehensive Weight Management Program
  • Monitor and Evaluate Energy Intake and Energy Needs
The number of supporting documents for these topics is below:
  • Recommendations: 20
  • Conclusion Statements: 6 (27 total, including those from other EAL projects)
  • Evidence Summaries:  6 (27 total, including those from other EAL projects)
  • Article Worksheets:  87 (169 total, including those from other EAL projects)

Contributors

To see the list of expert work group members, analysts and contributors for this project expand the Project Team section.

Revision

Academy guidelines are revised every five years. The literature search will begin for each guideline topic three years after publication to identify new research that has been published since the previous search was completed. An expert workgroup will convene to determine the need for new and revised recommendations. See Revision under Guideline Development for more information. The updated guideline will be developed using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Process (see Policy and Process tab).

New research may warrant a revision to a specific question or recommendation prior to the full project or guideline revision. Once identified, information is gathered and the Evidence-Based Practice Committee will make a decision on the appropriate action.