Primarily intended for physicians and health care professionals who are treating obese patients, this book explores current and future options for drug treatment of obesity puts them into perspective against available alternative treatments. Distinguished scientists and clinical investigators provide reviews of each individual topic, covering a wide range of subjects from pathophysiology of obesity to the benefits of weight loss. The core sections on pharmacotherapy deal with currently available drugs and drugs in pre-clinical development. These sections are complemented with sections on non-drug treatment and general therapeutic aspects. This design provides an integrated view of therapeutic approaches to the treatment of obesity and its associated syndromes.

After three introductory chapters that deal with the general theme of obesity – now regarded as a chronic disease – this volume discusses the drugs sibutramine and orlistat, which are approved for long-term use in the US and in much of the rest of the world. The three final chapters discuss future drug targets, like the central nervous system and gut hormones, and how to influence energy expenditure and substrate utilization.

Presenting detailed information on treatment of the obese patient, this handy, concise title is designed not only to educate practitioners about obesity but, most importantly, to provide practical strategies in the comprehensive approach to treating this disease. Replete with bulleted lists and tables for easy referencing, this unique reference provides a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology and natural history of obesity as well as a thorough review of available treatment options. The book’s early chapters discuss the disease of obesity, its corresponding health burden on individuals and society, and the psychosocial morbidity and effect of weight loss. Later practical, treatment-centered chapters include dietary and lifestyle strategies for weight loss, physical activity and writing an exercise prescription, pharmacotherapy approaches, perioperative care of the surgical patient, and complications of weight loss surgery, to name just several. An indispensable, easy-to-read resource for all health professionals interested in obesity diagnosis and treatment, The Clinician’s Guide to the Treatment of Obesity is a significant contribution to the literature that will be of value to all physicians, with particular appeal internal medicine and primary care physicians, endocrinologists, cardiologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and any practitioner that wishes to learn the up to date treatment strategies for the obese patient.

During the last few years, there has been growing medical interest in the problem of obesity. Although this may not have resulted in a dramatic breakthrough in our understanding of the condition, at least we are now more aware of our ignorance. Possibly this partly explains the increasing medical concern for, and sympathy in, the management of the obese. In the introductory chapter, John Garrow says that he believes it would be better to treat a few people well than many subjects unsuccessfully. This theme is developed in those chapters which deal with specific forms of therapy including exercise, protein-sparing fasting and bypass surgery, while the chapters on pharmacological agents review our knowledge, and our ignorance, of the mode of action and efficacy of the currently available drugs. Almost in contrast, the chapter on behavioural therapy and group therapy suggests that obesity is a problem which could best be tackled on a community basis. Clearly such an approach is very attractive, and the combination of behavioural therapy and slimming organizations would appear to offer the best prospects of controlling most subjects' weight problems. There will always remain, however, the individual patient in whom there will be a place for the various special techniques now available. It is hoped that this book will contribute to a greater understanding of the various problems faced by the obese, and the regimes that can be offered. J. F. MUNRO xi 1 How to treat and when to treat J. S.

Obesity and its associated comorbidities (e.g. type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease) represent a serious challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. Obesity is a chronic disease, characterized by excessive adipose tissue mass, resulting from an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, with growing relevance in an increasingly sedentary society. Obesity is multifactorial, where alterations in the physiology of gastrointestinal hormones, playing a key role in the interplay between the gastrointestinal system and the brain, and in the gut microbiota, contribute to the development of this disorder.

Of evidence-based recommendations -- Introduction -- Overweight and obesity: background -- Examination of randomized controlled trial evidence -- Treatment guidelines -- Summary of recommendations -- Future research.

Hepatitis, the leading indication for liver transplantation, is a straight-forward disease when it comes to diagnosis: it is a disease of pathology and is diagnosed by liver biopsy, with the result being either positive or negative. There is only one effective treatment: interferons. Nonetheless, new interferons are appearing on the market and Drs Foster and Goldin examine the use of each of these in the management of chronically infected patients. The authors have written a succinct, highly illustrated text for all those interested in the management of viral hepatitis.

This issue of Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics will cover Obesity. Curated by Dr. Michael D. Jensen, this issue will explore topics in the field that are relevant for practicing clinicians. This issue is one of four selected each year by the series Consulting Editor, Adriana G. Ioachimescu. The volume will include articles on: The role of the environment in the "obesity epidemic, Endoscopic treatments for obesity, Visceral fat, Role of commercial weight loss programs in medical management of obesity, Racial differences in metabolic consequences of fat gain, Sex differences in adipose tissue function, Common and rare complications of bariatric surgery, Strategies for physical activity interventions in the treatment of obesity, Effects of pregnancy on childhood overweight and obesity, Iatrogenic Obesity, Growth hormone and obesity, and Barriers and solutions for prescribing obesity pharmacotherapy.

While the health consequences and mechanisms by which visceral fat causes disease are well-studied, relatively less is known about ectopic fat, its patterns of deposition and its effects on the pathoetiology of type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. Visceral and Ectopic Fat: Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes, Atherosclerosis, and Cardiovascular Disease covers the wealth of literature that has been amassed over the past decade on this topic. This reference brings all the research and clinical data together in one volume and helps clinicians and academic researchers understand more thoroughly the underlying mechanisms and interrelation between fat depots and ectopic fat stores in relation to health and disease. It showcases some of the recent developments in adipose tissue biology, particularly on the impact of interventional strategies - bariatric surgery, liposuction, physical and dietary intervention - of which information is desired among health specialists and policy makers. - Brings together up-to-date research on imaging, genetics, and risk factors for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and fatty liver disease - Takes a deep dive into the current state of knowledge regarding fat stores, ectopic fat, regulation of fat stores, clinical implications, interventions, and imagining techniques - Provides up-to-date information specifically focused on visceral and ectopic fat. In addition, both pathophysiological and preventive and treatment aspects of the problem will be considered - Covers a broad range of organs - different fat stores such as skeletal muscle, bone marrow, liver and kidney - Discusses potential interventions to reduce abdominal fat