The role of motivational interviewing in the management of obesity in adults

Introduction: The last 50 years have seen a significant global increase in the obesity rate. The prevalence of excess weight gain has doubled worldwide since 2000 and approximately one-third of the world's population is obese or overweight. Purpose: To identify the role of motivational interviewing in the management of obesity in adults. Methodology: This narrative review was based on the bibliographic search of reviews and research studies drawn from international databases. The exclusion criterion of the articles was the language other than English and Greek. Results: There is evidence for the effectiveness of family-based behavioral treatment for controlling weight and improving health outcomes. Obesity-related health risks have been documented such as metabolic syndrome. The importance of dietary prevention is also a major modifiable factor in cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. One of the most prevalent health-related behavior modification models is Motivational Interviewing which is a patient-centered communication style that uses specific methods such as reflective listening, autonomy support, shared decision-making, and eliciting change talk. Conclusion: Recent studies support the use of motivational Interviewing for weight loss in primary care.