Diabetes Standards of Care and Resources for Clinicians and Educators

Recommendations for Weight Management, Overweight, and Obesity

• Assess weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) at diabetes visits.
• Refer patients who are overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m²) or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) to structured community-based or clinic-based weight loss programs that emphasize goal setting, coaching, and motivational interviewing; education and skills development, physical activity, self-monitoring, problem solving, behavioral change, stress and stimulus control, the importance of social support, and the use of community resources.
• Provide weight management counseling by a multidisciplinary team.
• Bariatric surgery
  • Providers may consider whether to discuss the option of bariatric surgery with diabetes patients who have:
    • BMI ≥ 40 kg/m², at any level of glycemic control or pharmacotherapy
    • BMI ≥ 30.0-39.9 kg/m², particularly when lifestyle therapy and pharmacotherapy fail to control diabetes
  • Candidates for bariatric surgery should receive a comprehensive behavioral health assessment prior to surgery.
  • Post-surgery
    • Provide ongoing lifestyle support and medical and nutritional monitoring.
    • Assess need for behavioral health services.

Featured Weight Management, Overweight, and Obesity Resources

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