Pharmacologic Agents Chapter for Abdominal Obesity

Abstract Obesity is a major problem facing the United States and the world. It has been associated with numerous comorbid conditions and represents a tremendous economic burden in the United States. The American Medical Association recognized obesity as a chronic disease in 2013 and urged providers to begin to address this problem with their patients. Pharmacotherapy represents one of the primary interventions providers can make with the treatment of obesity and is indicated for adults with a body mass index of ≥ 30 or ≥ 27 kg/m 2 with a comorbid condition, such as diabetes. This chapter reviews the medications currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of obesity.