La valutazione degli indicatori di processo e outcome per confermare la validità della proposta operativa

Unlike other chronic diseases, little attention in scientific literature on obesity has been dedicated to the issue of outcome and, above all, process indicators. This is undoubtedly due to the fact that it was only in relatively recent times that besity was categorized as a chronic disease, which is associated with an increase in the morbidity and mortality in the general population, and one of the main causes of disability and spending on healthcare. On the other hand, the relatively poor efficacy of the treatments available compared to that achieved for other chronic illnesses and the relatively recent advent of more effective therapies, such as bariatric or weight loss surgery and multidisciplinary rehabilitation, make the field of obesity therapy one that is still largely experimental and lacking in well-defined guidelines. When dealing with this topic, the issue of process and outcome indicators has been considered according to the different levels within the healthcare setting in which the management of the obese patient takes place.