CHSU Discovery

Obesity is most commonly defined by the Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2. BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms over height in meters. Just under the category of obesity, is overweight, which is defined as BMI between 25-29.9 kg/m2. There has been an increased prevalence of individuals being overweight worldwide. It has been well-documented the health complications that stem from maintaining excess weight, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gallbladder disease along with diseases that affect primarily affect females such as breast cancer and endometrial cancer. Unfortunately, the United States has one of the highest prevalence of obesity and overweight and is projected to increase 50% and 30% by 2030 respectively. ​

This systematic review intends to analyze and compare the various options for obesity management in terms of significant weight loss and their associated safety profiles. Currently, the most common modality to rapidly decrease body weight is bariatric surgery; however bariatric surgeries, such as gastric sleeve and bypass are not without risks. These complications include gastric strictures, leaks, infections, blood clots, and frequent reoperations due to varying success rates across procedures. Furthermore, rapid weight loss from these interventions may lead to nutritional deficiencies due to gastrointestinal disruptions that pose long-term challenges like weight regain. Apart from surgical interventions, GLP-1RAs are becoming more popular due to their effectiveness while being noninvasive and more cost-effective compared to bariatric surgery. This review highlights the importance of potential integration with other medical management options  facilitate a multifaceted approach to combating obesity and comorbidities at the individual and systemic level. ​