Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for obesity

by Monroe Rutherford Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Common treatments for overweight and obesity include losing weight through healthy eating, being more physically active, and making other changes to your usual habits. Weight-management programs may help some people lose weight or keep from regaining lost weight.

Procedures

Weight loss drugs, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating obesity, include: Beta-methyl-phenylethylamine (Fastin) This is a stimulant that increases fat metabolism. Orlistat (Xenical) This drug works by blocking about 30 …

Self-care

Sep 10, 2021 · A new treatment for obesity. September 10, 2021. By Chika Anekwe, MD, MPH, Contributor. On June 4, 2021, the FDA announced the long-anticipated approval of Wegovy, an injectable medication taken once per week for weight management. Wegovy received significant media attention in the months preceding approval, with a New York Times article declaring it a …

Nutrition

Nov 14, 2018 · Treatments for obesity include lifestyle remedies, such as dietary changes and exercise. If these do not work, medication or surgery may be possible. Find out more about the options available.

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Aug 08, 2012 · What are some tips for healthy eating? Emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and dairy products. Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Eat a diet low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars. Drink more water ...

How do you cure obesity?

For patients with a body mass index (BMI) over 40, the health care team may recommend an obesity treatment known as bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery. Bariatric surgeries work to either restrict the amount of food intake, limit food absorption in the small intestine, or a combination of the two.

What are some diets to eliminate obesity?

For the treatment of obesity, the current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend. 27. A dietary approach with lower energy intake than expenditure is recommended. A deficit of 600 kcal/day (via LCD or LFD) is recommended for sustainable weight loss, together with expert support and intensive follow-up.

What is the best medication for obesity?

The results of treatment for obesity: a review of the literature and report of a series. AMA Arch Intern Med. 1959 Jan; 103 (1):79–85. [Google Scholar] Thomson TJ, Runcie J, Miller V. Treatment of obesity by total fasting for up to 249 days. Lancet. 1966 Nov 5; 2 (7471):992–996.

What is the primary prevention of obesity?

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What is the best treatment for obesity?

The best way to treat obesity is to eat a healthy, reduced-calorie diet and exercise regularly. To do this you should: eat a balanced, calorie-controlled diet as recommended by your GP or weight loss management health professional (such as a dietitian) join a local weight loss group.May 17, 2021

What is the first line of treatment for obesity?

Metformin is therefore considered a first line drug in treating patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The most common side effects of metformin are nausea, flatulence, diarrhea, and bloating (103).Aug 2, 2021

What is the latest treatment for obesity?

Currently there are 10 FDA-approved anti-obesity medications in the US: phentermine, diethylpropion, benzphetamine, phendimetrazine, orlistat, phentermine/topiramate ER (Qsymia), bupropion/naltrexone (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), setmelanotide (Imcivree), and now semaglutide (Wegovy).Sep 10, 2021

How is obesity treated in adults?

Treatment for Overweight & Obesity
  1. Healthy eating plan and regular physical activity.
  2. Changing your habits.
  3. Weight-management programs.
  4. Weight-loss medicines.
  5. Weight-loss devices.
  6. Bariatric surgery.
  7. Special diets.

What are side effects of diethylpropion?

Diethylpropion may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • dry mouth.
  • unpleasant taste.
  • restlessness.
  • anxiety.
  • dizziness.
  • depression.
  • tremors.
  • upset stomach.
Apr 15, 2017

Is semaglutide an insulin?

Ozempic is the brand name for a molecule used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes that is administered as a once weekly injection. The generic name is Semaglutide. It is not insulin.

What drugs are available to treat obesity?

The FDA has approved five of these drugs—orlistat (Xenical, Alli), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), and semaglutide (Wegovy)—for long-term use.Jun 23, 2021

What is semaglutide weight loss?

Generic Name: semaglutide (weight loss)

This medication is used with a doctor-approved exercise, behavior change, and reduced-calorie diet program to help you lose weight. It is used by certain overweight people, such as those who are obese or have weight-related medical problems.

How to treat obesity?

Increased physical activity or exercise is an essential part of obesity treatment. Most people who are able to maintain their weight loss for more than a year get regular exercise, even simply walking.

What is the goal of obesity treatment?

The goal of obesity treatment is to reach and stay at a healthy weight. This improves your overall health and lowers your risk of developing complications related to obesity. You may need to work with a team of health professionals — including a dietitian, behavioral counselor or an obesity specialist — to help you understand and make changes in your eating and activity habits.

How to diagnose obesity?

To diagnose obesity, your doctor will typically perform a physical exam and recommend some tests. These exams and tests generally include: Taking your health history. Your doctor may review your weight history, weight-loss efforts, physical activity and exercise habits, eating patterns and appetite control, what other conditions you've had, ...

What is the BMI of a person with obesity?

Your BMI is greater than 27, and you also have medical complications of obesity, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea. Before selecting a medication for you, your doctor will consider your health history, as well as possible side effects.

Is weight loss surgery a cure for obesity?

But weight-loss surgery isn't a miracle obesity cure. It doesn't guarantee that you'll lose all of your excess weight or that you'll keep it off long term. Weight-loss success after surgery depends on your commitment to making lifelong changes in your eating and exercise habits. Common weight-loss surgeries include:

What tests are done to determine how much weight you need to lose?

Blood tests may include a cholesterol test, liver function tests, a fasting glucose, a thyroid test and others. Gathering all this information helps you and your doctor determine how much weight you need to lose and what health conditions or risks you already have. And this will guide treatment decisions.

How much weight can I lose with BMI?

That means that if you weigh 200 pounds (91 kg) and have obesity by BMI standards, you would need to lose only about 10 to 20 pounds (4.5 to 9 kg) for your health to begin to improve.

How to improve your weight loss?

Rewarding specific actions, such as exercising for a longer time or eating less of a certain type of food. Adopting realistic beliefs about weight loss and body image. Developing a support network, including family, friends and co-workers, or joining a support group that can help you focus on your goal.

Can bariatric surgery help you lose weight?

Bariatric surgery, which involves sealing off most of the stomach to reduce the quantity of food you can consume, can be an effective means for morbidly obese people to lose weight and maintain that weight loss. To be considered for weight-loss surgery, you must meet at least one of the following qualifications:

Does insurance cover weight loss surgery?

Most health insurance companies don't cover weight-loss surgery unless you first make a serious effort to lose weight using non-surgical approaches. Many people participate in a combination of the following therapies.

How to set realistic weight loss goals?

Setting realistic weight loss goals — short term and long term. Recording your diet and exercise patterns in a diary. Identifying high-risk situations and avoiding them. Rewarding specific actions, such as exercising for a longer time or eating less of a certain type of food.

What to do after weight loss surgery?

If you plan on having weight-loss surgery, behavior therapy and dieting will be instrumental in helping you maintain your weight loss after surgery. Surgery is a tool to get your body to start losing weight. Diet and behavior modification will determine your ultimate success.

How long does it take for weight loss to stop?

Studies show that patients on drug therapy lose around 10 percent of their excess weight, and that the weight loss plateaus after six to eight months. As patients stop taking the medication, weight gain usually occurs.

Is meridia a weight loss medication?

Sibutramine (Meridia) This is an appetite suppressant approved for long-term use. Medications are an important part of the morbid obesity treatment process but weight-loss drugs can have serious side effects. We recommend that you visit a certified health care professional who can prescribe appropriate medications.

What are some behavioral ideas to help you lose weight?

Other behavioral ideas include serving food from the stove rather than family style, and never watching TV, reading, or doing another activity while eating.

What is the best medicine to reduce appetite?

Another medicine is locaserin. It boosts the amount of serotonin in the brain to reduce your appetite.

What is the best medicine for bowel movements?

One of the most commonly prescribed medicines is orlistat. Orlistat blocks about 30% of the fat you eat as food travels through your digestive system. This medicine may cause frequent, oily bowel movements. But if you cut back on the amount of fat you eat, symptoms often get better.

How to keep weight off long term?

But to keep the weight off for the long term, you'll need to change your unhealthy habits and eating patterns. Behavior change focuses on unhealthy dietary habits. It also adds physical activity into your daily life. Obesity-related eating disorders need to be treated by a therapist, and may also need medicine.

Do eating disorders need to be treated?

These behaviors are eating disorders that need to be treated by a healthcare provider. Most people who have these disorders are usually either overweight or obese. If you have an eating disorder, it's important to be treated for it before you try to lose weight.

What eating disorders can be treated with psychotherapy?

Some eating disorders that may need to be treated with psychotherapy are: Bulimia. A disorder in which a person eats compulsively and then vomits or uses water pills (diuretics), laxatives, or strenuous exercise to prevent weight gain. Feelings of guilt, shame, and depression often follow the binge.

What is binge eating disorder?

A disorder in which a person eats compulsively and then vomits or uses water pills (diuretics), laxatives , or strenuous exercise to prevent weight gain. Feelings of guilt, shame, and depression often follow the binge. Binge eating disorder. A disorder that is similar to bulimia.

What is Wegovy and how does it work?

Wegovy is the brand name for the high-dose injectable peptide hormone molecule known as semaglutide, a medication that was previously approved by the FDA under the brand names Rybelsus (oral) and Ozempic (lower-dose injection) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Who can take Wegovy?

Wegovy, like all other prescription medications designated for the treatment of obesity, is approved for use in those with a body mass index ( BMI) of 30 kg/m 2 or greater, or those with a BMI of 27 kg/m 2 with a weight-related medical condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.

What are the risks and benefits of Wegovy?

Phase 3 clinical trials of Wegovy, dubbed the STEP (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity) trials, were conducted in a variety of clinical scenarios, each varying slightly in the study population and study design.

How long can you take Wegovy?

Wegovy is one of six medications currently approved by the FDA for the long-term treatment of obesity. As such, it can be used for as long as it remains beneficial for weight loss and/or weight maintenance and is not causing intolerable side effects.

Anti-obesity medication management: An evolving landscape

Wegovy is the latest in a line of medications, starting with phentermine in 1959, that have achieved FDA approval for the treatment of obesity.

Paying for anti-obesity medications

For those who do prescribe anti-obesity pharmacotherapy, challenges arise with the exorbitant cost of some of the newer therapeutics, as well as refusal of many private and public insurers to cover anti-obesity medications.

Does surgery help with obesity?

Surgery can either make the stomach smaller, or it can bypass part of the digestive system.

Why is obesity bad?

Obesity can happen for a number of reasons, including diet, a sedentary lifestyle, genetic factors, a health condition, or the use of certain medications. A number of treatment options can help people to achieve and maintain a suitable weight. Carrying excess weight can increase the risk of a number of health problems.

Is it better to lose weight slowly or quickly?

Losing weight slowly and constantly, for example, 1–2 lb each week, is often better than losing a lot quickly, because it is more likely to stay off once a person reaches their target weight. Exercise and dietary changes are useful weight-loss tools. For some people, however, these are not effective.

Can exercise help you lose weight?

Exercise and dietary changes are useful weight-loss tools. For some people, however, these are not effective. In this case, medication or surgery might be an option. Sometimes, a health condition — such as a hormonal problem — can result in weight gain. In this case, treating the imbalance can help to solve the problem.

Does fiber help with metabolic syndrome?

Fiber and whole grains can also help to reduce the risk of a number of conditions related to metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a condition that involves a number of health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular problems. It is more common in people with obesity.

What is metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a condition that involves a number of health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular problems. It is more common in people with obesity. A doctor or dietitian can help to suggest a strategy and possibly a suitable weight-loss program.

Is it hard to lose weight?

It is more difficult to achieve healthy weight loss. In some cases, a doctor may suggest that a person with severe obesity should follow a very low-calorie liquid diet. A health professional should monitor this strategy to ensure that the person remains safe while following the diet. 2.

What are the health problems that obesity can cause?

Being obese carries a lot of risk for developing serious and long-term health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cancer.

Is it bad to be obese?

Being obese carries a lot of risk for developing serious and long-term health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cancer. However, weight loss through diet and exercise can be difficult or even impossible for many people, due to existing health conditions, medications, ...

Is it possible to lose weight through diet and exercise?

However, weight loss through diet and exercise can be difficult or even impossible for many people, due to existing health conditions , medications, or emotional and socioeconomic reasons. Fortunately, a range of obesity treatment procedures are available, which have helped countless people lose weight and live healthier, longer lives.

How does bariatric surgery affect your body?

Bariatric surgeries work to either restrict the amount of food intake, limit food absorption in the small intestine , or a combination of the two. With bariatric surgery, significant weight loss often occurs quickly, leaving excess skin that can be uncomfortable and affect self-image.

Can bariatric surgery cause weight loss?

With bariatric surgery, significant weight loss often occurs quickly, leaving excess skin that can be uncomfortable and affect self-image. Patients may wish to discuss their options for body contouring (plastic surgery) procedures after weight loss surgery. Find a Doctor.

Is it possible to lose weight by exercising?

However, weight loss through diet and exercise can be difficult or even impossible for many people, due to existing health conditions, medications, or emotional and socioeconomic reasons.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rakshith Bharadwaj
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Lifestyle changes such as increasing exercise or diet alterations are the mainstay of treatment. Surgery is very occasionally recommended and most common bariatric surgery procedures are gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch.
Procedures

Gastroplasty: Stomach is stapled to create a small pouch that allows only limited amounts of food.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: Placing an adjustable band around the stomach with minimally invasive surgery.

Sleeve gastrectomy: Removal of approximately 80 percent of the stomach. The remaining stomach is a tubular pouch that resembles a banana.

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch: Removal of a portion of stomach and bypassing a large portion of the small intestine

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

Follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Choose minimally processed, whole foods
  • Whole grains (whole wheat, steel cut oats, brown rice, quinoa)
  • Vegetables (a colorful variety)
  • Whole fruits (not fruit juices)
  • Nuts, seeds, beans, and other healthy sources of protein (fish and poultry)
  • Plant oils (olive and other vegetable oils)

Foods to avoid:

  • Sugar-sweetened beverages (soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks)
  • Fruit juice (no more than a small amount per day)
  • Refined grains (white bread, white rice, white pasta) and sweets
  • Red meat (beef, pork, lamb) and processed meats (salami, ham, bacon, sausage)
  • Other highly processed foods, such as fast Food

Specialist to consult

Bariatric physician
Specializes in medical weight management.
Endocrinologist
Specializes in the function and disorders of the endocrine system of the body.
Dieticians
Specialize in the nutritious diet and patient's food habits.

Alternative Medicine

Coping and Support

  • The goal of obesity treatment is to reach and stay at a healthy weight. This improves overall health and lowers the risk of developing complications related to obesity. You may need to work with a team of health professionals — including a dietitian, behavioral counselor or an obesity specialist — to help you understand and make changes in your eat...
See more on mayoclinic.org

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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