2024 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Pharmacologic Treatment of Overweight and Obesity by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity.

Abstract

The Korean Society for the Study of Obesity has published the 9th edition of its Clinical Practice Guidelines to provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the management of overweight and obesity. Developed through a structured process of systematic literature review and expert consensus, these guidelines incorporate recent clinical evidence for obesity management. Key clinical questions were formulated using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome framework and addressed through comprehensive evaluations of randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, systematic reviews, and existing guidelines. Major updates include the inclusion of the concept of clinical obesity, defined as excessive adiposity with tissue and organ dysfunction. The revised guidelines expand recommendations for pharmacologic treatments and introduce a new section on functional health foods. Emphasis is placed on early assessment of treatment response and individualized therapeutic adjustments to improve long-term outcomes. The guidelines also highlight the importance of recognizing obesity-related health conditions and ensuring equitable access to care. They promote shared decision-making and ethical prescribing practices to support a person-centered approach. All recommendations are evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system, which reflects the strength of evidence and the balance of expected benefits and harms. These updates are intended to assist healthcare providers in delivering personalized, evidence-informed care and underscore the evolving role of pharmacotherapy within risk-based obesity management strategies.