Gaps remain between what's known about obesity and how it's being treated

Obesity rates in the U.S. continue to rise, thwarting progress in reducing the rate of heart disease and stroke. But scientific advances in how to treat obesity often don't make it into clinical practice, according to a new report.

The scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published recently in the journal Circulation, highlights gaps between the growing understanding of the causes and treatments for obesity and how it is being managed by health care professionals. It also outlines barriers to properly addressing weight loss, such as a lack of insurance and lack of knowledge about evidence-based lifestyle interventions.

"Obesity is undeniably a critical public health concern in the U.S. and around the world, affecting nearly all populations and straining our health care systems," Dr. Deepika Laddu, chair of the statement writing committee, said in a news release. Laddu is a senior research scientist at Arbor Research Collaborative for Health in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

But, despite significant scientific strides in understanding obesity, "there remains a considerable gap between what we know and what happens in the doctor's office," she said.

Obesity rates have been increasing in the U.S. and worldwide for nearly 30 years. More than 40% of U.S. adults live with obesity, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Recent advances in research have led to a deeper understanding of the complex causes of obesity, including the role of sociological and physiological determinants of health. Treatment advances have also created more strategies...