Obesity is a complex, chronic, progressive and relapsing disease requiring long-term management and treatment

Diseases are defined by deviations from the normal or healthy structural function of a part, organ or system of the body caused by underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and manifesting with characteristic signs and symptoms. As such, the pathophysiological consequences of obesity affect a person’s health, feeling and functioning, making obesity a chronic disease that can impact health on a daily basis. Living with obesity increases the risk of as many as 200 obesity-related complications (ORCs) and has a negative impact on life expectancy.

Learning objectives

Upon completion of this module, you will have an understanding of:

• Various reasons why obesity is a chronic, progressive, relapsing and treatable disease
• The physical, psychosocial and functional consequences of living with obesity
• Evidence-based, guideline-directed, individualised approaches to the diagnosis and management of obesity
• Reasons contributing to delayed diagnosis of obesity and low uptake of clinical interventions among eligible people living with obesity.

Professor Barbara McGowan
Consultant Endocrinologist, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital
Professor of Endocrinology and Diabetes
King’s College London, UK