Obesity Is Not New—Addressing It in Counseling Is

Counselors can no longer ignore the obesity crisis which affects 35% of adults and 17% of children/adolescents in the U. S. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2012a, 2012c). One of the most significant issues affecting clients with obesity is weight discrimination, as well as behavior change, isolation, depression, low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, education and job discrimination, family interventions, bullying, and medical illnesses that accompany obesity. To empower clients to make sustained lifestyle changes, counselors must first recognize and acknowledge their own biases and countertransference issues regarding obesity. Assessment, goals, and interventions are discussed.