title: Management of obesity: medical treatment options.
abstract: Obesity is a common and serious health problem in the United States. Excess weight is associated with an increased mortality rate, as well as such risk factors as hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus. Numerous treatments are available for obesity. Behavioral therapy, surgery and pharmacologic treatment have been used with varying degrees of success. Pharmacologic therapy includes primarily noradrenergic agents and/or serotonergic agents. Newer preparations are currently under development. Behavior modification, including regular exercise and the development of healthy eating habits remains the best hope for long-term weight loss. However, surgery or medication can be useful in specific circumstances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Carek
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Sherer
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Carson
mesh_terms: D000662:Amphetamines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000209:etiology; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000209:etiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012306:Risk; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D001067:Appetite Depressants; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D018490:Serotonin Agents