These guidelines make recommendations regarding the management
of individuals with a body mass index greater than 25.0 kg/m2
and cover all age groups, from children to the elderly, as well as various
patient subsets. A range of measures to yield health benefits are set out,
including healthy eating plans, increased physical activity, and behavioral
modifications to help patients to manage obesity. In addition, recommendations
are made on the use of bariatric surgery and the new antiobesity drugs.
Throughout the process of developing the recommendations, every attempt was
made to ensure use of a rigorous, evidence-based approach.  The guidelines
are promoted by the Italian Society of Obesity (SIO) and were formulated in
compliance with a prespecified process overseen by a steering committee. They
are intended for use by a wide range of clinicians, including general
practitioners, primary health care nurses, and primary health care
professionals, and will hopefully prove of value in combating the obesity
epidemic not only in Italy but across Europe and elsewhere in the world.