The merits of an integrated approach to obesity treatment and prevention

I applaud the call from Buse and colleagues for the amplification of dialogue about the drivers of obesity.1 These drivers must be tackled in a coordinated way by governments and global bodies. An additional point that merits highlighting is the need for a similarly joined-up approach to treating patients currently living with obesity.I’ve learnt from clinical experience that diet and exercise advice alone delivers poor outcomes in obesity treatment. Data suggest that the recent integration of weight management drugs into patient treatment plans will reduce pressures on national health systems,23 but this is a problem too complex for prescriptions to comprehensively solve.4 People living with obesity also often live with associated health or mental health conditions.5 They may face barriers to exercise and nutrition tied to their socioeconomic status and level of health literacy.6 These factors must be acknowledged in any plans or strategies designed to improve the outcomes of…
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