title: Medical therapy for obesity: present and future.
abstract: The prevalence of obesity worldwide has risen sharply during the last four decades. The etiology of obesity is complex and includes a host of genetic influences in addition to the overconsumption of energy coupled with a sedentary lifestyle. Obesity is known to cause or exacerbate many co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea. Modest weight losses of 5-10% of actual weight are related to significant improvements in co-morbid conditions, but unfortunately the rate of recidivism with short-term therapy for obesity is high. The recent recognition of obesity as a chronic disease that should be treated with long-term programs and possibly with polypharmacy, and the alarming increase in its prevalence, have prompted extensive research and the development of new pharmacotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Unit, Sapir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel. rosane-abramof.ness@clalit.org.il
authors.forename: Rosane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ness-Abramof
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nabriski
authors.forename: Caroline M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Apovian
mesh_terms: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D001067:Appetite Depressants