CLINICAL TREATMENT OF OBESITY

Abstract

Obesity prevalence has increased gradually and its treatment is essential, because it is associated with diverse chronic illnesses. Amongst the options to treat obesity, clinical treatment is fundamental, being part also of the surgical treatment and has as objective to change the life style of the obese, improving its eating habits and also stimulating the practical of physical activity. For this it is essential to identify the errors in the alimentary behavior of the patient and other errors in its life style.There are no evidences that indicate which diet composition is the most adequate to promote a higher weight loss, however a balanced diet seems to promote health more than diets that are highly restrictive in some type of nutrient and are equally efficient in promoting weight loss. Despite obesity being one of the older human metabolic diseases, the drugs available for treatment of obesity are limited and have diverse collateral effects. Moreover, the changes in life style and diet habits promote more lasting results than the drug treatment. Drugs must assist the patient to change its alimentary habit and not simply to reduce the sensation of hunger and the food ingestion.