How to evaluate and treat obesity.

Obesity has been recognized as a preventable and treatable disease by medical experts in Minnesota and elsewhere, and there is a growing evidence base showing the efficacy of various clinical strategies for its management. It has been shown that losing as little as 5% to 10% of body weight can help patients improve their glycemic levels, blood pressure, and lipid levels. This article discusses how to recognize obesity, identify patients who are at the greatest risk from complications of the disease, and determine which patients might respond best to certain treatments including behavior modification, diet, exercise, medication, and surgery.