Medical Weight Management: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Abstract

A wide and interacting range of individual, environmental and socioeconomic factors contribute to obesity. As a consequence, weight management strategies almost always comprise a mixture of several parallel approaches, each with its challenges and unique goals. Broadly, weight management strategies comprise of two main strands. The non-pharmacotherapy approach includes various lifestyle modifications in terms of dietary therapy, exercise, and behavioral modifications, including the prevention of possible relapses. Pharmacotherapy, on the other hand, involves several anti-obesity medications, employed as single or combination therapy. Generally, the goals of weight management should be realistic and individualized to patient’s experiences, abilities, and risks in order to maximize the likelihood of success. This chapter tackles these weight management strategies in turn, explaining each, as well as highlighting their distinctive features and challenges, effectiveness and safety, requisites, and where appropriate, indications and contraindications.