Obesity: causes and new treatments.

The prevalence of obesity increases rapidly in developed and developing countries. Obesity results from a cumulative positive energy balance and is favoured by both genetic and environmental factors. Preventing obesity requires a major investment in nutritional and lifestyle education, particularly in children and adolescents.--The pharmacological approach to obesity includes drugs that reduce food intake (noradrenergic and serotoninergic agents), drugs that increase energy expenditure and compounds that affect nutrient partitioning. In all instances, the benefit-to-risk ratio needs to be carefully assessed. In some patients (severe obesity or obesity accompanied by serious high-risk comorbid conditions), gastric surgery (gastric restriction or gastric bypass) should be considered. In our own experience, it is safe and effective.