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Medical Management of Obesity

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Obesity, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery

Abstract

The term obesity implies an excess of adipose tissue, and excess adiposity is a health risk. Patients with obesity are at increased risk of many medical and psychiatric diseases, have reduced life expectancy, and are also subjected to unwanted social, psychological, and physical disadvantages. As a result of these factors, the cost to individuals and society due to obesity is huge. Therefore, prevention and treatment of obesity is now widely recognized as a chief priority.

The aim of obesity treatment is to reduce morbidity and mortality while improving psychological well-being and social function. Interventions are costly and time-consuming and, thus, should be targeted at patients who are at the most risk (body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2 or BMI >27 kg/m2 + serious comorbidities of obesity) and motivated.

Overeating and decreased activity are the fundamental problems underlying the development of obesity. Thus, any therapy aimed at helping the obese patient must have a dietary and physical activity component. Initially, patients should be encouraged to increase their physical activity to 60 min of moderate activity on 5 days per week and reduce their total energy intake by 500–1000 kcal/day. The aim is to lose 5–10% of weight at a rate of 0.5–1 kg/week. If after 6 months significant weight loss has not been achieved, then obesity drugs can be added.

Encouraging patients to lose weight and maintain that weight loss can be difficult. Using behavioral techniques and helping patients to identify their barriers to change and providing them with tools to overcome this will improve adherence and aid with weight loss and maintenance of this.

This chapter covers the clinical assessment of obesity, what treatment options are available, and how to use these.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diabetes and Endocrinology Department, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton and Somerset Foundation Trust, Taunton, UK

    Ahmed M. Gharib Ahmed

  2. University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

    Robert C. Andrews

Authors
  1. Ahmed M. Gharib Ahmed
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  2. Robert C. Andrews
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Correspondence to Robert C. Andrews .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Homerton University Hospital, London, UK

    Sanjay Agrawal

Section Editor information

  1. Centre for Obesity Research, Department of Medicine, University College London, London, UK

    Rachel L. Batterham

  2. University College London Hospitals Bariatric Centre for Weight Management and Metabolic Surgery, University College London Hospital, London, UK

    Rachel L. Batterham

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Ahmed, A.M.G., Andrews, R.C. (2023). Medical Management of Obesity. In: Agrawal, S. (eds) Obesity, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60596-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60596-4_5

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