Background: Obesity has been noted to be increasing in prevalence worldwide. In India, a recent study noted that 16% of urban Indians were overweight and 50% of urban Indians were obese by BMI criteria. This article will discuss the etiology, diagnosis, work up and medical management of patients with obesity.

 

Methods: An online search was done using PubMed and online search engine Google scholar. Articles which were relevant to obesity were researched and referenced.

 

Conclusion: All patients visiting a medical practitioner should be screened for obesity. Asian Indians with BMI between 23 and 24.9 kg/m2 should be diagnosed as overweight and those with BMI more than or equal to 25 kg/m2 should be diagnosed as obese. Patients with waist circumference more than 80 cm in females and 90 cm in males should be diagnosed with abdominal obesity. All patients who are diagnosed as being overweight or obese should be prescribed diet and exercise. Patient with obesity should be givenbehavior therapy especially if they have maladaptive eating patterns.Pharmacotherapy should be given to patients with obesity especially in the presence of co-morbidities.

Volume 1, Number 2, Page: 58-67

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