What is the medical definition of obesity?
Obesity, a condition that impacts 2 out of 5 adults in the United States, has become a significant health concern, both due to the impacts it has on individuals with the condition and the effect it can have on the overall medical system. It is estimated that obesity is responsible for nearly $1.73 billion in excess treatment costs annually, compounded by the fact that individuals with obesity are far more likely to have other conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and osteoarthritis.
Because of obesity's impacts, the medical research industry has been focusing many of its efforts on studying the condition and finding potential new treatments. The anti-obesity drug market has seen significant developments in recent years and is expected to reach $100 billion by 2030 — but how is obesity defined, and how are these drugs researched?
How is obesity defined medically?
The medical definition of obesity is an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a health risk. This is generally determined by an individual’s Body Mass Index (BMI) or a person’s weight in kilograms divided by their height in square meters. A BMI over 25 is considered overweight, while a BMI over 30 is considered obese.
What are obesity clinical trials?
While many attempts have been made to find a pharmacological solution for weight loss, challenges have historically overshadowed the otherwise promising results. However, recent advancements have put a spotlight on the space, causing many to be curious about how this research is conducted.
Obesity clinical trials are conducted similarly to other types of medical research, and volunteers are vital for medical breakthroughs. Obesity researchers are considering many aspects of the condition, including why some people have a more challenging time with weight management than others, which medications can help support individuals’ weight loss goals, and what long-term effects may be involved with obesity drugs.
Generally, obesity clinical trials involve a control arm of individuals who do not receive the intervention, who are studied alongside a cohort of individuals who do. From there, researchers can draw conclusions about the impact of the study drug and its effect on people. The size of these groups and how the data is collected will depend on many factors, such as what drug is being studied, what phase the clinical trial is in, and which individuals the researchers are examining.
As with all conditions, new obesity research relies on volunteers to participate in studies. If you’d like to fill out a survey to contribute to obesity research, click the button below to get started.
