Recent Advances in Obesity Research and Management

Obesity is at epidemic proportions worldwide. Obesity is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases. Initial lifestyle modificationmay be intended to induce 7-10% decrease in baseline body weight in obese subjects. Drug therapy can be introduced for subjects with a BMI≥30 kg/m or in those with a BMI ≥27 kg/m when comorbidities, such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes mellitus, are present. Bariatric surgery is widely available and can be performed for individuals with a BMI ≥40 kg/m (or for patients with a BMI≥35 kg/m and comorbidities) who are unsuccessful with other therapies. Recently, many basic research findings showed that inflammatory responses to metabolic dysfunctions are key pathophysiologic changes in obesity and insulin resistance. Further studies will be required to find out effective targets to manage obesity and to resolve various unanswered issues about diet and exercise regimens. Furthermore, more data about bariatric surgeries are required.