Why are weight-management medicines so important?
Obesity is becoming one of the most important global health concerns, with more than 650 million adults living with obesity worldwide. In the UK, upwards of three in five adults are overweight or living with obesity (63%). Specifically, obesity is estimated to affect around one in every four adults in the UK and obesity levels have almost doubled since 1993 (from 15% to 29%).
Obesity is a complex disease and a risk factor for several other chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Obesity has even been linked to poorer mental health, as the stigma that many people living with obesity face can lead to anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. However, current pharmacotherapy treatment options for weight management are limited, and there is a need for additional effective treatment options that can help people living with obesity.
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