Treatments for Obesity

June 10, 2008 - 7:30am

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Treatments for Obesity

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]]>Obesity]]> is difficult to treat, and success rates are not high. Cultural factors, personal habits, lifestyle, and genetics all affect obesity treatment.

The treatment and management of obesity involves major lifestyle changes related to your grocery shopping, food preparation, eating, and exercise habits. Medicines play only a small supplementary role, and surgery is limited to people with morbid obesity or those who have life-threatening complications.

The goal of treatment is to reduce your weight to a point where it is no longer a risk to your health. The initial goal is to lose approximately 10% of the baseline body weight or 1 to 2 pounds a week in the first six months of treatment. This may be less weight than you would like to lose, but it may be a more realistic goal. Once the weight is lost, it is essential to maintain and prevent the regain of weight through better eating habits and regular exercise. While that is happening, measures to preserve your health and prevent the onset of medical complications may also be recommended.

Treatment involves the following:

]]>Lifestyle changes]]>
]]>Medications]]>
]]>Surgery]]>
]]>Alternative and complementary therapies]]>
]]>Other treatments]]>

References

August GP, Caprio S, Fennoy I, et al. Prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity: an Endorine Society Clinical Practice Guideline Based on Expert Opinion. J Clin Endoc Met. 2008;93:4576-4599.

Barlow SE, and Expert Committee. Expert committee recommendations regarding the prevention, assessment, and treatment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity: summary report. Pediatrics. 2007;120(Suppl)S164-S192.

Berkow R, Beers M, Fletcher AJ. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. New York, NY: Pocket Books; 1999.

Kasper DL, Harrison TR. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998.

Mechanick JI, Kushner RF, Sugerman HJ, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, The Obesity Society, and American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery medical guidelines for clinical practice for the perioperative nutritional, metabolic, and nonsurgical support of the bariatric surgery patient. Endocrine Practice. 2008;(Suppl 1).

Snow V, Barry P, Fitteman N, Qaseem A, et al. Pharmacologic and surgical management of obesity in primary care: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142:525-531.

Last reviewed July 2010 by ]]>Marcin Chwistek, MD]]>

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.