Treatment of Obesity for Primary Care: From Diagnosis to Care Management-Obesity Pathophysiology

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Dr. Elizabeth Bauer, an endocrinologist, discusses the pathophysiology of obesity. She starts by providing a definition of obesity, describing it as a chronic, multifactorial disease with adverse health consequences. She mentions that the prevalence of obesity varies among countries, with the United States having an obesity prevalence of over 40%. Dr. Bauer then delves into the genetic and epigenetic factors contributing to obesity, highlighting that while genetic inheritance plays a role, it is not a direct cause and effect relationship. She explains that obesity is a result of disrupted energy homeostasis and dysregulated neural and hormonal pathways. The peripheral and central nervous systems, as well as adipose tissue, play a crucial role in regulating food intake and energy balance. Dr. Bauer also discusses the impact of environmental factors, such as obesogenic food environments, on obesity. She explains that weight loss can be challenging to sustain due to various factors, including metabolic adaptation, hormonal changes, and behavioral modifications. Despite the complexities involved, Dr. Bauer emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and the potential of pharmacological interventions for managing obesity.

Keywords

obesity

pathophysiology

genetic factors

energy homeostasis

environmental factors

weight loss

pharmacological interventions