The University of Kansas 8th Annual Conference on
the Prevention and Treatment of Overweight and Obese Individuals
2006 Focus: BEHAVIORAL
September 7-9, 2006
Hyatt Regency, Crown Center, Kansas City MO
The 2006 KU Annual Conference
on Prevention and Treatment of Obesity will be a 2.5 day conference beginning
Thursday and concluding Saturday at noon
The prevalence of obesity has been consistently increasing
over the past three decades. Current estimates indicate that in excess of
65 percent of adults in the United States are overweight (body mass index (BMI)>25.0
kg/m2) with at least 30 percent of adults classified as obese (BMI >30
kg/m2). Overweight and
obesity have been linked to numerous chronic diseases including cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, many forms of cancer, and numerous musculoskeletal
problems. This has resulted in
obesity-related conditions accounting for approximately 7 percent of total
health care costs in the United States, and it is estimated that the direct and indirect cost of obesity is in excess
of $100 billion annually. Despite
improvements in the delivery of behavioral weight loss interventions, weight
regain continues to average approximately 33% to 50% of initial weight loss
within one year of terminating treatment, with some estimates showing complete
weight regain within 3 years of initial weight loss. Thus, it is important to continue to develop
effective intervention strategies to address the obesity epidemic and to
improve long-term weight loss outcomes.
It has been suggested that behavioral interventions for
weight control should be based on accepted theoretical approaches to behavior
change. Typically, this has involved the combined use of multiple theories such
as social cognitive theory, transtheoretical model (stages of change), relapse
prevention models, and numerous others. Despite being grounded in theory, successful
long-term weight loss has been less than desirable when used in traditional
groups or individual interventions. This does not mean that
the theoretically grounded strategies are ineffective, but may mean that the
structure used to support these strategies is incompatible with a chronic-care
intervention, which appears necessary to sustain weight loss long-term. Thus, it is important to understand how
constructs of behavior theory apply to eating and physical activity behaviors,
weight loss, and ultimately chronic care interventions to address this
important public health concern.
For more information please contact Kim Johnson at kim@ku.edu or 785-864-0797
WE ARE APPLYING TO OFFER CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS FOR: PHYSICIANS, NURSES,
HEALTH EDUCATORS, DIETITIANS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS & PHYSICAL THERAPISTS