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 Treatment of Obesity

Obesity is a medical condition that requires comprehensive treatment for effective management. Since obesity results from an energy imbalance (more energy consumed than expended), treatment needs to focus on decreasing energy intake, increasing energy expenditure, or both.

With the easy availability of high fat, highly palatable (enjoyable) foods, it is not surprising that our energy intake has been increasing over the years. Additionally, with the many labor-saving devices, such as computers, moving walkways, television remotes, and cars, the average individual’s lifestyle activities have decreased, thus lessening the need for calories.

Since all animals (including humans) tend to avoid expending energy, most medical approaches to weight management have involved medications to decrease energy intake by decreasing appetite. However, you can easily increase your energy expenditure by walking instead of driving, for example; but with our time-constrained world, it is not usually our first choice. Scientifically, attempts are being made to increase our energy expenditure with medications and devices; but it is very challenging.

There are good, comprehensive treatments that can assist you with your weight management endeavors. However, modern medicine has offered some less than helpful treatments, such as phen/fen and Redux. I am proud to state that I opposed the use of phen/fen and Redux because of unresolved safety questions that were glossed over; and thus, I never exposed my patients to them.

Please select a topic of interest from the left-hand column.

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