Obesity and weight management in primary care

Abstract

It is traditional to define obesity in reference to one individuals's body mass index. It is an important health problem in India. There are multiple conditions causing obesity eg, genetic, cultural, socioeconomic, behavioural, situational, metabolic and physiological. There are a number of comorbid conditions of obesity which have an impact on morbidity. Management in clinical practice should always be a patient oriented approach. The management consists of the following approaches : Evidence that reducing weight decreases disease risk, changing patient's expectations and goals, dietary management, physical activity-some general guidelines, behavioural therapy, selection of patient, centrally acting anorexiant medications, peripherally acting medications, the endocannabinoid system, surgery, etc.