Obesity: When weight becomes unbearable

Abstract

Obesity is associated with many chronic diseases. The dramatic rise in its prevalence worldwide has become a major health concern. This article discusses some of the controversies on its causes, consequences, and standard treatments, with a focus on anti-obesity drugs and bariatric surgery.

Keywords:

• Obesity
• Overweight
• Diet
• Anti-obesity drug
• Bariatric surgery
• Gastric bypass

The body mass index (BMI) was proposed by Adolphe Quetelet as long ago as 1835. He based it on average measurements from a population of Scottish soldiers.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Diana Raffelsbauer

Diana Raffelsbauer is a freelance medical writer, journalist, and translator. She has an MSc in Biology and a PhD in Medical Microbiology. She has been a member of EMWA since 2007. In 2011, she founded PharmaWrite Medical Communications Network, a network of freelancers providing services in different areas of medical writing, journalism, and translations in various European languages.