Obesity is now recognized as a chronic disease which needs chronic treatment to treat or prevent obesity related complications. This article discusses the biology of weight regulation as a basis to understanding obesity as a disease, and to appreciate the complex and multifactorial nature of the obesity problem. Finally, the article highlights the dietary approaches as part of the multi-pronged approach to treating obesity and gives a brief update on intermittent fasting.

Obesity is now recognised as a chronic disease which needs chronic treatment to treat or prevent obesity related complications. This article discusses the biology of weight regulation as a basis to understanding obesity as a disease, and to appreciate the complex and multifactorial nature of the obesity problem. Finally, the article highlights the dietary approaches as part of the multi-pronged approach to treating obesity and gives a brief update on intermittent fasting.

Obesity is a disease with a major negative impact on human health. However, people with obesity may not perceive their weight to be a significant problem and less than half of patients with obesity are advised by their physicians to lose weight. The purpose of this review is to highlight the importance of managing overweight and obesity by discussing the adverse consequences and impact of obesity. In summary, obesity is strongly related to >50 medical conditions, with many of them having evidence from Mendelian randomisation studies to support causality. The clinical, social and economic burdens of obesity are considerable, with these burdens potentially impacting future generations as well. This review highlights the adverse health and economic consequences of obesity and the importance of an urgent and concerted effort towards the prevention and management of obesity to reduce the burden of obesity.
Humans ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Physicians