Medical therapy for obesity

Abstract

The large number of people with mild to moderate obesity contribute more to its overall public health burdens than the smaller number of people with severe obesity. High-risk, high-efficacy strategies and population strategies focusing on lifestyle and behavioral modifications have failed to address the population burden of disease. An individualized approach is likely to provide the most effective management of this disease for the largest number of patients. This review discusses advances in pharmacologic therapies for obesity with a focus on currently approved drugs and those in later stages of development.