Integrative
Weight
Management

many years I have witnessed those in my community and clinics being victimized by socioeconomic
forces ultimately resulting in obesity and its untoward manifestations. As a teen in the mid-1970s, I
found myself severely overweight, but back then I was a rarity and was quite easily stigmatized by
society. My personal experience with Eastern principles through martial arts coupled with diet and
lifestyle modifi cations was highly successful. This “integrative” approach toward achieving effective
weight loss motivated me to help others fl ourish. As a practitioner of integrative medicine for many
years, I have witnessed an ever expanding literature which supports the application of principles I
experienced as a young man to manage weight disorders and its adverse consequences; however, a
comprehensive resource guide for healthcare practitioners was lacking.