Obesity has reached epidemic levels among U.S. adults. Among people 20 and older, about 41% are medically classified as obese (Body Mass Index of 30 or higher). Out of the 100 million adults in the U.S., 22 million are classified as severely obese (BMI of 40 or higher).
Rodolfo Galindo, M.D., associate professor in the Miller School’s Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, is taking a closer look at the disease.
“The key for proper management of any chronic condition at personal and public health levels is prevention,” said Dr. Galindo, who is also director of the UHealth Comprehensive Diabetes Center. “For obesity, education in proper diet and lifestyle choices is the first and utmost step. Educational and awareness programs need to start in early life, and not just within the health care community but also at home.”
Within his UHealth clinic, Dr. Galindo has helped patients lose significant weight. Some have been able to stop most or all of their antidiabetic medications.
“We have people losing 60 to 100 pounds in our practice,” Dr. Galindo said. “We have been treating people with obesity for several years, but there were few treatment options with a clinically significant impact.”
Following a balanced diet may seem like an easy way to manage obesity and live a healthy lifestyle. But for many, it’s not that simple.
“The lack of significant and long-term results with intensive lifestyle interventions for individuals with obesity, coupled with increased understanding of the intricate regulation of appetite and fat metabolism in humans and better treatment options, has led to increased recognition of obesity as a chronic disease. But much work still is needed,” Dr. Galindo said.
Newer medications that were initially developed for treatment of diabetes, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, work by reducing appetite and helping the recipient feel full faster. Additionally, there have been significant scientific advances in understanding the central nervous system’s effect on appetite and energy regulation, as well as the connection between the gut, brain and fat tissue.
“The future of pharmacotherapy for obesity and metabolic conditions is now a reality,” Dr. Galindo said. “At least two new drugs have completed phase 3 clinical trials already, so the next step will be regulatory approval within six to 12 months.”
