Obesity as a Disease
At the 23rd European Congress of Internal Medicine, experts called for obesity to be treated as a medical condition. Discussions highlighted the health and economic burdens of obesity, as well as the need for better treatment approaches, including pharmacological, surgical, and lifestyle strategies.
Lifestyle Management
A major focus was the role of exercise and nutrition in managing obesity. Despite strong evidence supporting their benefits, the practical application of these strategies remains limited. Francesca Battista from the University of Padua expressed optimism that more specialists will begin prescribing exercise to address obesity in the future.
Pharmacological Advances
Ania Jastreboff from Yale University discussed new medications for obesity, such as tirzepatide and semaglutide, which are proving more effective than older treatments. However, obesity is still not universally recognized as a medical condition, and many doctors hesitate to prescribe these drugs due to misconceptions and concerns about side effects.
Surgical Treatment for Obesity
Bariatric surgery remains an important treatment option. Gerhard Prager, a bariatric surgery expert, explained that newer, less invasive surgical techniques are improving patient outcomes, though careful patient selection is still necessary to avoid complications like nutritional deficiencies.
The Future of Obesity Treatment
The future of obesity treatment lies in integrating pharmacological treatments, lifestyle changes, and surgery. Experts believe that combining these approaches will offer more effective, long-term solutions to managing obesity.
