In the United States, the number of obese adults has been rising steadily for the past few decades. As of 2016, nearly 40% of American adults were obese, and the trend shows no signs of abating. This increase in obesity has led to a corresponding increase in obesity-related health problems such as type II diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.
While there is no easy solution to the obesity epidemic, recent advancements in medical treatment offer some hope. In particular, there are three new trends in medical treatment for obesity that hold promise:
- Anti-obesity drugs
- Bariatric surgery
- lifestyle interventions
Anti-obesity drugs: One of the most promising new treatments for obesity is anti-obesity drugs. These drugs work by targeting different areas of the body involved in regulating appetite and metabolism. For example, some anti-obesity drugs work by increasing levels of satiety hormones such as leptin, while others work by inhibiting the absorption of fat from the intestine.
While there are many potential benefits of anti-obesity drugs, there are also some drawbacks. One major drawback is that these drugs can have significant side effects, including gastrointestinal distress, headaches, and dizziness. In addition, they are generally only effective in the short term; most people who take them regain the weight they lose within a few years.
Bariatric surgery: Another potentially effective treatment for obesity is bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery is a type of surgery that helps people lose weight by making changes to their digestive system. The most common type of bariatric surgery is gastric bypass surgery, which reduces the size of the stomach and limits the amount of food that can be eaten at one time.
Bariatric surgery can be an effective treatment for obesity; however, it is also associated with some risks. These risks include infection, blood clots, and leaks from surgical incisions. In addition, bariatric surgery is a major operation that requires a long period of recovery.
Lifestyle interventions: A third option in medical treatment for obesity is lifestyle interventions. Lifestyle interventions are programs that help people change their lifestyles in order to lose weight and improve their health. Because lifestyle interventions focus on changing behaviors, they can be more effective than other weight loss methods in the long term
