Obesity: causes and new treatments

The prevalence of obesity increases rapidly in developed and developing cou ntries. Obesity results from a cumulative positive energy balance and is fa voured by both genetic and environmental factors. Preventing obesity requir es a major investment in nutritional and lifestyle education, particularly in children and adolescents. - The pharmacological approach to obesity incl udes drugs that reduce food intake (noradrenergic and serotoninergic agents ), drugs that increase energy expenditure and compounds that affect nutrien t partitioning. In all instances, the benefit-to-risk ratio needs to be car efully assessed. In some patients (severe obesity or obesity accompanied by serious high-risk comorbid conditions), gastric surgery (gastric restricti on or gastric bypass) should be considered. In our own experience, it is sa fe and effective.