Evaluation and Treatment of Obesity

Obesity is a medical condition characterized by a body mass index (BMI) of over 30 kg/m2. In this condition, excess fat accumulates in the body over time until it starts having an overall adverse effect on the health. Apart from BMI, waist-hip ratio and cardiovascular risk factors are other markers used for evaluating an obese condition. Clinically, obesity may be categorized as class I, II and III, or severe, morbid or super obesity. The chief treatment for obesity consists of physical exercise and dieting. For short-term benefit, a low carbohydrate diet is considered beneficial while in the long term, all low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets are equally beneficial. Certain medications are also recommended for long-term use, such as lorcaserin, orlistat, phentermine-topiramate, liraglutide, etc. However, the associated side effects of such medicine are also quite significant. Bariatric surgery is considered an effective treatment for obesity and may include procedures such as laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, vertical-sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, etc. This book elucidates the concepts and innovative models around prospective developments with respect to the evaluation and treatment of obesity. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. The extensive content of this book provides the readers with a thorough understanding of the subject.