Behaviour modification

Behaviour modification requires analysis of the factors which promote over-eating and plan interventions to reduce intake.

Over-eating may be caused by:

• social eating:
  • large business lunches are a good example
  • the patient should separate eating from other activities
• stress and "comfort eating":
  • other coping strategies should be developed

Interventions to reduce intake include:

• slowing the pace of eating
• avoidance of snacks between meals

Group support may promote compliance - anecdotal evidence supports the utility of "Weight watchers" organisations, at least in the short term.

Behaviour modification is effective in the short term. Most weight will be lost within the first six months, thereafter the emphasis is on preventing relapse.