Abstract / Summary
ABSTRACT Obesity is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat that adversely affects overall health. Its increasing prevalence has become a major public health concern due to its strong association with type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Body mass index (BMI) is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity; however, BMI alone may not adequately reflect cardiometabolic risk. Measurement of waist circumference provides additional information regarding central or visceral adiposity and helps identify individuals at increased metabolic and cardiovascular risk. Obesity is a multifactorial condition resulting from complex interactions among genetic, epigenetic, environmental, behavioural, endocrine, and socioeconomic factors. Visceral adiposity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, and abnormal lipid metabolism, which collectively contribute to cardiovascular comorbidities. Lifestyle modification remains the cornerstone of obesity management and includes dietary modification, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and behavioural counselling. When lifestyle interventions fail to achieve adequate weight loss, pharmacotherapy may be considered. Earlier pharmacological treatments included sympathomimetic agents, gastrointestinal lipase inhibitors, and centrally acting drugs. More recently, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists such as semaglutide and liraglutide have emerged as important treatment options. These agents reduce appetite and energy intake, improve glycaemic control, and promote significant weight loss. Semaglutide has demonstrated substantial weight reduction and cardiovascular benefit in selected patients with overweight/obesity and established CVD, while liraglutide has shown cardiovascular benefit in patients with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk. Newer agents such as tirzepatide have further expanded pharmacological options for obesity management. KEYWORDS: Obesity; cardiovascular disease; BMI; GLP-1 receptor agonists; semaglutide; liraglutide; tirzepatide; weight loss; cardiometabolic risk.