Meta-Pharmacologic Support and Scaffolding for Obesity Therapy

Abstract

Obesity is a multifactorial endocrine disease. Novel
hormone receptor modulators are now available for its
treatment. This does not mean, however, that obesity can
be managed or cured by pharmacotherapy alone.
Multidimensional support and scaffolding are required to
attain and sustain optimal outcomes with drug therapy. In
this communication, we provide a systematic coverage of
the various aspects of support that are needed. We term
them metapharmacologic, as they extend beyond the
realm of conventional pharmacology. These include
biomedical (medical, endocrine, pharmacotherapeutic),
lifestyle (nutrition, physical activity), and psychosocial
(psychological, social, systemic) optimization.
Keyword: Holistic care, Lifestyle medicine, nonpharmacological
care, overweight, obesity,
person-centred care