What is the goal of tertiary prevention in overweight individuals?

The goal of tertiary prevention in overweight individuals focuses on targeting weight loss to mitigate and manage complications associated with obesity. This approach recognizes that individuals who are already overweight or obese may face a range of health issues, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Tertiary prevention aims to improve quality of life and reduce the impact of these existing health problems through effective weight management strategies.

By facilitating weight loss, healthcare professionals can help reduce the severity and incidence of comorbidities, thereby slowing disease progression and enhancing overall health outcomes. This strategy is distinct from other prevention levels, which might aim to prevent obesity's onset or eliminate weight-related health issues entirely. Specifically, tertiary prevention operates in a context where weight-related conditions are already present, making it imperative to focus on managing and reducing their impact through targeted weight loss interventions.