Weight management

Obesity treatment is effective and moderate weight losses can be maintained for 4-5 years. Even small weight losses are effective in preventing diabetes, improving the control of diabetes and improving the cardiovascular risk profile. They also improve mobility, sleep apnoea and general well-being. There is a place for pharmacotherapy but drugs must be used in conjunction with a behavioural change (lifestyle) program. Pharmacotherapy (currently orlistat and sibutramine are available) used for 2-4 years can help to maintain weight loss, but the ideal duration of such therapy is uncertain. When pharmacotherapy is ceased some weight will be regained. This regain generally results in the weight increasing to the weight that would have been achieved by effective lifestyle programs. Other therapies such as very low calorie diets and obesity surgery also produce long-term successful weight loss.