Multidimensional perspective of obesity; prevention to treatment.

Abstract

Objective: An increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity across the world can lead to serious health complications. The present narrative review highlighted the results of research on obesity management affiliated to the Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute (EMRI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: All documents from the EMRI focused on obesity topics were searched using PubMed and Scopus databases up to December 2019.

Results: EMRI research projects conducted in obesity field cover several topics including childhood obesity, epidemiology of obesity, roles of genetic factors and gut microbiota in excess weight, as well as weight management by medicinal herbs and nutritional interventions. The increasing prevalence of excess-weight in children and adults indicates that conventional weight management strategies alone are not successful in obesity control and complementary therapies including herbal medicine could be helpful. Moreover, clarifying the role of the human genome and microbiome in different responses of individuals to dietary recommendations could be effective in achieving personalized nutrition.

Conclusion: Further population-based studies focusing on national and international collaborations are needed to progress more practical strategies to face with obesity challenge in different age ranges.