Obesity is a major public health problem. Although the ideal treatment is prevention, once established, few treatments have proven effective and safe.
What is ‘obesity?’
Obesity is a chronic and progressive disease that affects different aspects of an individual’s life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is characterized by excessive accumulation of fat, which can be detrimental to health, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and reducing quality of life.
Obesity prevention
Obesity prevention is based on a balanced diet and regular physical activity. It is essential to tailor this diet to each individual, limiting the consumption of foods rich in fat, salt, and sugar, and increasing the intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Furthermore, regular physical exercise helps control weight and improves associated risk factors, positively influencing overall well-being.
Treatments for obesity
Obesity treatments should be complemented with diet and physical activity to facilitate weight loss. It’s important to emphasize that these treatments require medical advice and supervision.
In Spain, the drugs approved and marketed for obesity treatment are orlistat 60 mg, authorized for overweight, and orlistat 120 mg, liraglutide , semaglutide , and tirzepatide , authorized for obesity and overweight. All of these are combined with a low-calorie diet and increased physical activity. They must be prescribed by a healthcare professional, as misuse can lead to health problems.
Controversy between obesity, type 2 diabetes and aesthetic weight loss
Currently, there is a controversy surrounding obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Obese patients are using a treatment prescribed for T2DM, causing supply problems and, consequently, difficulty accessing treatment for patients with T2DM. Another controversy is the use of these treatments for cosmetic reasons by non-obese individuals, often without changing their lifestyle. This not only reduces their effectiveness but also implies the inappropriate use of a treatment intended for a specific pathology.
Thus, the ethical question arises: is it legitimate to purchase and use these medications off-label just because they’re available? At the pharmacy level, we believe that medications should be reserved for medical conditions and are not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, which can provide a good quality of life.
