Obesity-An Update on the Basic Pathophysiology and Review of Recent Therapeutic Advances

Obesity represents a major public health problem with a prevalence increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Continuous intensive efforts to elucidate the complex pathophysiology and improve clinical management have led to a better understanding of biomolecules like gut hormones, antagonists of orexigenic signals, stimulants of fat utilization, and/or inhibitors of fat absorption. In this article, we will review the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of obesity including intersection points to the new generation of antidiabetic drugs. We provide insight into the effectiveness of currently approved anti-obesity drugs and other therapeutic avenues that can be explored.

Automated summary

Obesity is a major public health problem worldwide, with its prevalence increasing at an alarming rate. Intensive efforts to understand the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of obesity have led to a better understanding of biomolecules and new intersections with the next generation of antidiabetic drugs. This article reviews the effectiveness of approved anti-obesity drugs and other potential therapeutic avenues.