Exploring synergies in the treatment of obesity.

A variety of treatments--behavior-modification programs, reduced-calorie diets, and pharmacotherapy--are available to treat obesity and can be effective in producing the 5% to 10% weight loss now recommended as a primary goal of therapy. The mechanisms of action of medication and behavior modification are different and complementary. Behavior therapy helps obese individuals to adopt a diet reduced in calories and fat and to increase daily physical activity; pharmacotherapy assists by modifying internal cues that control eating. Recent clinical studies indicate that combining these approaches is likely to be the most effective treatment for obese patients. Regardless of the approach selected, long-term care is required to achieve and maintain weight loss.