Current pharmacotherapy for obesity

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) report, over the last 40 years there was an almost three-fold increase in the prevalence of obesity across the world. During the same period the frequence of obesity in children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years increased from 1% up to 7%. WHO reported that 65% of the world's population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight. Obesity is associated with various chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and arterial hypertension that increase the risk of disability and death. In patients with obesity, life expectancy is reduced by 15 years compared to individuals with normal body weight. Obesity and associated comorbidities significantly increase healthcare costs. The goals of treatment for obesity should include both weight loss and improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism, hemostasis, etc. The author reviews the current anti-obesity medications that can be used for weight loss.

Key words

Obesity, overweight, body mass index, type 2 diabetes, treatment.