Treatment of obesity in 2015

AP Shukla, WI Buniak, LJ Aronne - Journal of cardiopulmonary …, 2015 - journals.lww.com
AP Shukla, WI Buniak, LJ Aronne
Journal of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and prevention, 2015journals.lww.com
Obesity is a growing epidemic associated with multiple comorbidities and increased risk of
all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Global estimates of obesity between 1980 and
2008 indicate that the prevalence of obesity doubled in every region of the world. 1 The
problem is particularly acute in the United States, with more than one-third of the adult
population being obese. 2 Apart from medical and psychosocial consequences, obesity also
places a severe economic burden on affected individuals and health care systems. In 2008 …
Obesity is a growing epidemic associated with multiple comorbidities and increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Global estimates of obesity between 1980 and 2008 indicate that the prevalence of obesity doubled in every region of the world. 1 The problem is particularly acute in the United States, with more than one-third of the adult population being obese. 2 Apart from medical and psychosocial consequences, obesity also places a severe economic burden on affected individuals and health care systems. In 2008, medical costs associated with obesity were estimated at $147 billion, and the medical costs for obese individuals were $1400 more than those of recommended weight. 3 Effective management of obesity is clearly a major health priority.
Despite ample evidence that weight loss through lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery prevents and attenuates the severity of obesity-related comorbidities, survey data indicate that a minority of clinicians actually address the issue of weight management in obese patients. 4, 5 This stems from several sources, including insufficient training in behavioral and lifestyle counseling, lack of familiarity with and concern about the safety of antiobesity medications, lack of awareness of the indications and outcomes of bariatric surgery, and time restraints during a busy office practice. 6 This review summarizes current strategies for management of obesity, including lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins