A Review of Pharmacologic Treatments for Obesity

A REVIEW OF PHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENTS FOR OBESITY

INTRODUCTION

Obesity pertains to a human condition that is mainly characterized by having a body mass index (BMI ) of (30 kg /m2 (Branca et al , 2007 . The incidence of obesity has increased by 300 over the last few decades and this has prompted international groups such as the World Health Organization (WHO ) to take an active stand in the campaign for the regulation of body weight and the intake of healthy foods . According to the WHO , if no measures are conducted to regulate the incidence

of obesity in the general population , it is highly likely that approximately 700 million adults will be diagnosed with obesity by 2015 (WHO , 2006

Obesity has been identified as a major factor influencing the development of medical diss across the globe . Positive correlations have been established between obesity and cardiovascular diss , as well as different types of cancer . A strong association has also been established between obesity and mortality , as this condition significantly reduces an individual 's life expectancy Obesity also influences an individual 's quality of life as it affect the quality of social interactions with society . The occurrence of obesity has indirectly increased the healthcare costs of every country , as well as affected its economy due to significant loss in productivity and revenue generation

PHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENT OF OBESITY

There are currently a number of interventions for obesity , including dietary modification , lifestyle changes , physical exercises , behavioral therapy and surgery . This literature review will focus on the most...