Obesity is still a killer, but new drugs are effective: What to know

Obesity is not just a weight issue — it’s a chronic inflammatory disease impacting nearly every tissue and organ in the body, and it’s spreading at an alarming rate. Once thought to be a problem primarily in the Western world, obesity is now affecting millions in developing countries, including children and adolescents. In 2022, the World Health Organization reported that 890 million adults and 160 million children worldwide were living with obesity, and those numbers are climbing. What was once seen as an aesthetic concern is now recognized as a serious health risk, leading to life-threatening complications like heart disease, stroke and diabetes if left untreated. As obesity rates soar, new treatments — like GLP-1 medications — are showing promise, not only for weight loss but for improving overall health, including cardiovascular events and mortality. But how exactly do these treatments work, and why are they being hailed as a game-changer in the fight against obesity?Obesity can cause several co-morbidities, that can lead to deterioration in the general health of a person. For example, type 2 diabetes (presenting as high blood sugar), elevated blood pressure, abnormalities in the lipid profile, fatty liver and obstructive sleep apnea (presenting as fatigue, sleepiness, headaches, decreased concentration and mental equity).........

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