The Obesity Epidemic: Pharmacological Challenges

Table 1.

Theoretical Methods for Treating Obesity

Goal Method
Reduction of calorie intake Low-calorie fat and carbohydrate substitutes; drugs to impair absorption; restrictive bariatric surgery; behavior modification.
Reduction of appetite Behavior training; anorectic drugs; bypass bariatric surgery; control environmental stimuli.
Increase in energy expenditure Exercise or elevation of metabolic rate(e.g., by drug treatment).
Direct removal of fat Surgery (liposuction); agents to impair fat storage.

This Article

  1. MI April 2008 vol. 8 no. 2 82-98