Author(s)

Maya Barake¹, Akram Echtay², Kamal Hirbli³, Charles Saab⁴, Rita Medlej⁵, Paola Atallah⁶

¹Division of Endocrinology, Clemenceau Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
²Division of Endocrinology, Rafic Hariri University Hospital, Beer Hassan, Beirut, Lebanon.
³Division of Endocrinology, LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.
⁴Division of Endocrinology, Sacré-Coeur Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.
⁵Division of Endocrinology, Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital-USJ University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.
⁶Division of Endocrinology, Saint George Hospital University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.

Obesity is not always recognized as a primary disease, leading to shortage of insurance coverage, clear dispositions about therapeutic strategies, prevention programs and legislation. Worldwide, physicians face the challenge to design affordable and effective treatments against obesity, to improve patient health and wellbeing and reduce the burden on healthcare systems. While international guidelines for obesity management are available, straightforward recommendations applicable in developing countries are needed. In order to develop local consensus recommendations, a panel of endocrinologists with experience in overweight and obesity convened and provided opinions about obesity aetiology, diagnosis, and management, in a structured discussion. Opinions were then developed into recommendations. There was unanimous agreement on recognizing obesity as a disease, which could be diagnosed by any trained physician and best managed by endocrinologists or obesity-trained physicians. The panel reiterated that lifestyle and behaviour changes remain the cornerstone of treatment; underscoring, however, the need for pharmacotherapy or bariatric surgery in some cases. They also identified stakeholders in the fight against obesity (ministries, third-party payers, healthcare providers and others). The establishment of an obesity registry was encouraged, which will pave the way for enhanced obesity research and prevention programs. These recommendations, endorsed by the World Obesity Federation, would be of interest to clinicians worldwide.

Obesity, Nutrition, Clinical Management, Developing Countries, Consensus

Barake, M. , Echtay, A. , Hirbli, K. , Saab, C. , Medlej, R. and Atallah, P. (2023) Diagnosis and Management of Obesity: A Joint Statement by Practicing Endocrinologists. Journal of Diabetes Mellitus, 13, 77-92. doi: 10.4236/jdm.2023.132008.