IN RESPONSE:
Dr. Langland states that modest weight loss achieved through lifestyle change has failed to reduce mortality or cardiovascular events and that referrals to commercial weight-loss programs should therefore be avoided. Although we agree that long-term benefit for cardiovascular events or mortality through modest weight loss has not been proved, clinical guidelines from the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, The Obesity Society (1), and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2) currently recommend weight loss for its benefits regarding diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol levels. In fact, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that clinicians “screen all ...
References
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Moyer VA ;U.S. Preventive Services Task Force . Screening for and management of obesity in adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2012;157:373-8. [PMID:22733087 ] AbstractGoogle Scholar - 3. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. 3 February 2012. Accessed at www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/downloads/R142NCD.pdf on 1 June 2015. Google Scholar
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Author, Article and Disclosure Information
From The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
Disclosures: Authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest. Forms can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M14-2238.
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