Med. praxi. 2025;22(1):48-53 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2025.003

Current possibilities and practical aspects of antiobesity therapy in the general practitioner's office

MUDr. Petra Karnosová, Ph.D.

Ambulance endokrinologie, obezitologie, II. interní klinika FN Plzeň

A general practitioner can initiate the adequate therapeutic management of obesity. The first line of treatment should include lifestyle change recommendations such as a calorie-restricted diet (referral to a nutrition professional may be prescribed) and physical activity prescription. The pharmacological treatment can be indicated for all individuals with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² or ≥ 27 kg/m² with comorbidities (prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, sleep apnea). Anti-obesity medication use and selection should be individualized based on a clinical weight loss goal, weight-related conditions, and food intake behavior using a phenotype-guided approach. We should assess the effect of treatment after 12 or 16 weeks, respectively. Nowadays, we have 3 groups of anti-obesity medications that differ in mechanism of action. This medication can prescribe any physician regardless of medical specialization.

Keywords: obesity, phenotypes, orlistat, naltrexone/bupropion, liraglutide.

Received: July 22, 2024; Revised: January 17, 2025; Accepted: January 21, 2025; Published: February 20, 2025  Show citation