ABSTRACT
The high prevalence of obesity in U.S. adults is largely due to major weight gains that occur during adulthood. Moreover, obesity prevalence rates are disproportionately high in ethnic minority, low-income, and other socially marginalized U.S. adults. Effective prevention interventions are critical for combatting annual weight gains and obesity-related morbidities. This chapter reviews obesity prevention approaches in adult populations with an emphasis on long-term, individual, and microsystem level interventions. The review of interventions is structured using a life course framework that identifies times in adult life when risk for weight gain increases, including young adulthood, college, the period surrounding pregnancy, and menopause. The outcomes of clinical trials suggest that intensive behavioral interventions with in-person contact and long-term phone or electronic communications can prevent weight gain and help diverse adults remain weight stable as they age. Critical areas for future investigation include enhancing long-term engagement and disseminating evidence-based interventions into real world settings. Ultimately, multisectoral, comprehensive, systems-oriented approaches are needed to prevent obesity in adults and ensure that socially disadvantaged populations benefit from intervention.
