Lo último en diagnóstico y tratamiento de la obesidad: ¿Hay lugar aún para la terapia conservadora? / Is there still place for conservative treatment of obesity?

ABSTRACT

In Chile and other countries the actual prevalence of obesity is reaching 30% in selected populations (low income women). Nowadays bariatric surgery appears to be the treatment of choice. However, it is only indicated in selected patients and is not the first line treatment, since it does not prevent or reduce the appearance of this condition, a crucial challenge in its clinical management. The contemporary medical management of obesity should include changes in lifestyle habits and diet together with a behavioral therapy. However, this optimal management requires a multidisciplinary team. A challenge for contemporary medicine is to design efficient interventional strategies to change lifestyles among the obese. These interventions are the only way to reduce the adverse health consequences of obesity.