Many patients who are seen by gastroenterologists are overweight or obese. Moreover, gastroenterologists often are consulted to help manage obesity-related gastrointestinal diseases or gastrointestinal complications of weight loss therapy. Therefore, it is important for gastroenterologists to understand the key clinical issues associated with obesity that are discussed in this issue.  In addition, gastroenterologists can provide a valuable clinical service by becoming actively involved in helping their obese patients lose weight.
Given the prevalence of obesity, any physician providing clinical care will be involved in the care of obese patients. Gastroenterologists will play an active role in the evaluation and treatment of these patients. Thereby, it is essential to fully understand the scope of the problem and the opportunities for intervention. The expert authors assembled for this issue offer expanded insight which can enhance care plans provided to this patient population. Since Dr. Johnson’s first issue published, there are several updates in this area, and the articles in this volume address those. These updates are seen in the areas of medical therapy, surgical options, and endoscopic treatments for obese patients.
In the last three decades, the prevalence of obesity has doubled with over 600 million obese adults worldwide. The gastrointestinal complications of obesity are well publicized; however, the role of the gastrointestinal tract in the development and treatment of obesity is often understated. From the pathophysiologic role of gut hormones and the microbiota, to the purposeful, anatomic derangement of the gastrointestinal tract that is utilized as a treatment for obesity, it is imperative that gastroenterologists understand the full scope of obesity in relation to the gastrointestinal system. Studies suggest that in the U.S. obesity is underrecognized and undertreated by health care providers. Given its complex sociology, pathophysiology, and treatment, obesity, like many other diseases, requires a multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, gastroenterologists must be equipped with the relevant knowledge of obesity that will empower them to properly manage their patients.
In this issue of Gastroenterology Clinics, guest editor Dr. Lee M. Kaplan brings his considerable expertise to the topic of Management of Obesity, Part I: Overview and Basic Mechanisms. Most of the world's population live in countries where being overweight and obese is more life-threatening than being underweight. This preventable disease leaves patients with a cascade of health problems, resulting in serious stress and impact on global economies and healthcare systems. This issue, the first of two, addresses basic mechanisms and contributors of obesity, along with health care disparities and access.. Contains 16 practice-oriented topics including the many forms of obesity; genetic contributions to obesity; health complications of obesity; the effect of obesity on gastrointestinal disease; disparities in access and quality of obesity care; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews of management of obesity, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.
Given the prevalence of obesity, any physician providing clinical care will be involved in the care of obese patients. Gastroenterologists will play an active role in the evaluation and treatment of these patients. Thereby, it is essential to fully understand the scope of the problem and the opportunities for intervention. The expert authors assembled for this issue offer expanded insight which can enhance care plans provided to this patient population. Since Dr. Johnson's first issue published, there are several updates in this area, and the articles in this volume address those. These updates are seen in the areas of medical therapy, surgical options, and endoscopic treatments for obese patients.
In this issue of Gastroenterology Clinics, guest editor Dr. Lee M. Kaplan brings his considerable expertise to the topic of Management of Obesity, Part I: Overview and Basic Mechanisms. Most of the world's population live in countries where being overweight and obese is more life-threatening than being underweight. This preventable disease leaves patients with a cascade of health problems, resulting in serious stress and impact on global economies and healthcare systems. This issue, the first of two, addresses basic mechanisms and contributors of obesity, along with health care disparities and access.. Contains 16 practice-oriented topics including the many forms of obesity; genetic contributions to obesity; health complications of obesity; the effect of obesity on gastrointestinal disease; disparities in access and quality of obesity care; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews of management of obesity, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.
To date, diet programs and medical therapies for the treatment of obesity have had limited success. Bariatric surgery, however, provides a means of effective weight loss for many of those with morbid obesity. Most of these weight loss procedures are performed with a variety of techniques that continue to evolve. Each technique is associated with unique challenges and complications and it is important for the clinician to be knowledgeable about the endoscopic management of these patients. Additionally, as endoscopic technology evolves it may offer more than just the diagnosis and treatment of complications. Endoscopic therapy may soon allow less invasive bariatric revision procedures as well as a variety of primary obesity therapies for various patient populations. Bariatric Endoscopy reviews the management of obesity, normal post-surgical anatomy, endoscopic and medical management of post-surgical complications, and future endoscopic therapies for obesity management. Organized into five sections, the volume covers an obesity overview, traditional therapy, endoscopy and the bariatric patient, medical management of post-surgical complications, and the future role of endoscopy in obesity management. Detailed illustrations are also provided for surgical procedures, complications and obesity management chapters. Authored by authorities in the field, Bariatric Endoscopy is an indispensible tool for the gastroenterologist or surgical endoscopist as they care for patients with complicated bariatric issues.
