ACP Best Practice No 168

The investigation and management of obesity

M Labib

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr M Labib, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, West Midlands DY1 2HQ, UK;
mlabib5555{at}aol.com

Obesity is a chronic condition characterised by an excess of body fat. It is a complex disorder of appetite regulation and energy metabolism controlled by specific biological factors. In the past 10 years, great progress has been made in the scientific understanding of the pathophysiology of obesity and the interactions between genetic predisposition to weight gain and the environment. This article will review the current understanding of the pathophysiology and the approach to the investigation and management of obesity.

Keywords: investigation; management; obesity; pathogenesis

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; LCD, low calorie diet; LFD, low fat diet; NHS, National Health Service; PC1, prohormone convertase 1; POMC, pro-opiomelanocortin; PPAR, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor ; RMR, resting metabolic rate; WHO, World Health Organisation

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