Abstract

OBESITY: A REVIEW OF CAUSES, RELATED-DISEASES, AND MANAGEMENT

Ahmed B. Mohamed*

ABSTRACT

Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of fat, and it has been referred to as a "global pandemic". Despite of developments in understanding the causes and pathophysiology and increasing number of treatments for obesity, worldwide, there has been a rise in obesity prevalence. Diet and physical activity, hormonal regulation of metabolic homeostasis, and genetic factors play critical roles as causative agents for obesity. Several studies have demonstrated that obesity is a major risk factor for development of other conditions (type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases, low-grade chronic inflammatory state, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and some type of cancers). A common theme of strategies recognized for management of obese patients are lifestyle intervention, pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery. Specific considerations and recommendations apply when choosing the most appropriate therapy for obese patients. The objective of this review is to provide and understanding (1) an overview ofobesity; (2) the causes and pathophysiology of obesity; (3) the alterations and diseases related to obesity and possible mechanisms that link obesity with these diseases; and (4) the management of obesity.

Keywords: Obesity, Causes, Related-disease, Management.