Therapeutic Management of Obesity

Obesity is a chronic relapsing disease process that is increasing in prevalence, affecting both adults and children. It is the result of a small positive energy imbalance from too much food, or too little activity causes obesity that occurs over time. The food we eat provides the energy for obesity, but food is more than “energy.” Focusing on calories alone may not be as productive as focusing on the role of sugar and fat. Obesity increases risk of death and of many diseases, and weight loss provides benefits in reducing health risks and improving the quality of life. Effective treatment must redress the energy imbalance with diet, lifestyle modification, exercise, medications, and surgery. Five drugs are approved by the FDA for long-term treatment of obesity, and they can effectively improve health-related risks. Bariatric surgery has become a major treatment strategy and can reduce long-term health risks from obesity.