ADULT OBESITY: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL TRENDS AND ADVANCES IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
Keywords:
obesity, weight loss, incretin therapy, endoscopic bariatric procedures, metabolic and bariatric surgery, Edmonton Obesity Staging System, EOSSAbstract
Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease characterized by dysregulated energy balance and excessive adipose tissue accumulation, particularly visceral fat. Its prevalence continues to rise globally and in Vietnam, contributing to a growing burden of comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Diagnosis is based on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and comprehensive risk stratification, with the Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS) providing a more accurate assessment of health impact than anthropometric measures alone. Current management follows a multimodal approach incorporating behavioral interventions, nutritional modification, increased physical activity, incretin -based pharmacotherapy with robust weight-loss efficacy, endoscopic bariatric procedures such as intragastric balloons and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, and metabolic surgery for advanced cases. Personalized treatment strategies and sustained long-term support are essential to improve metabolic health and achieve durable outcomes.
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