The role of the behavioral counselor in obesity treatment

This review summarizes the role of behavioral counselors in obesity treatment. Behavioral counselors, who are often also registered dietitians, provide multidisciplinary treatment teams with expertise in the modification of diet and physical activity behaviors. Behavioral counselors use a variety of behavior-change strategies aimed at modifying obesity-related behaviors. The first step is to establish a collaborative alliance that will facilitate adherence and behavior change. Then, multiple intervention-related strategies can be used to further enhance adherence to treatment and elicit behavior change. These strategies include self-monitoring, stimulus control, cognitive restructuring, stress management, social support, physical activity, and relapse prevention. Interventions that incorporate these strategies are effective in producing gradual and moderate weight loss in persons with obesity.