Obesity is a major health concern affecting millions of people around the world. It increases the risk of many serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Some of the key steps to spread awareness are, educating people about the serious health risks associated with obesity which will help individuals understand the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and taking steps to prevent or manage obesity.
Obesity is a chronic disorder that requires a comprehensive treatment plan to address both the physical and psychological aspects of the condition. Treatment options for obesity include lifestyle modifications, medications, and in some cases, surgery. Lifestyle modifications are the first line of treatment for obesity which include changes in diet and physical activity. Some of the effective lifestyle modifications are reducing the intake of processed sugary foods, adopting a healthy diet or a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains, and increasing physical activity such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming.
In addition, behavioral therapy helps individuals develop healthier habits and manage stress and emotions related to food & eating. Also, weight loss medications such as orlistat (Xenical, Alli), liraglutide (Saxenda), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), and semaglutide (Wegovy) work by suppressing appetite, increasing satiety, or reducing the absorption of fat. Bariatric surgery is one of the options for individuals with severe obesity who have not achieved weight loss through lifestyle modifications and medications. This type of surgery includes procedures like gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and adjustable gastric banding.
Digital monitoring play an important role in obesity control by providing individuals with tools and resources to help people manage their weight and make healthy lifestyle choices. It provides real-time data on eating habits, physical activity levels, and weight changes, which can be used to guide treatment and ensure accountability. There are several types of digital monitoring devices such as wearable devices, food tracking apps, telehealth platforms, and connected scales that can be used in the treatment of obesity.
Obesity treatment market can be driven by various factors such as the prevalence of obesity, government regulations, pricing strategies, competition, and advancements in technology. The global prevalence of obesity is on the rise, and this has created a significant demand for obesity treatment drugs. According to the World Heart Federation Organization, in 2023, around 2.3 billion people are obese and by 2025, 2.7 billion people are expected to be obese or overweight. This high prevalence of obesity has created a significant demand for obesity treatment, and the market is expected to grow over the forecast period.
Market players for obesity treatment market are Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eisai Company, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Novo Nordisk, Alizyme, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Pfizer, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Shionogi USA, Vivus, Zafgen, Ethicon (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson), and Norgine Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Pharmaceutical companies are developing new drugs, and this has created a highly competitive environment. Companies that can develop innovative drugs that are more effective and have fewer side effects will have a competitive advantage. For instance, in February 2023, EraCal Therapeutics and Nestlé Health Science has entered partnership and this collaborative research has the objective of discovering innovative nutraceuticals that can help regulate food intake in individuals. Through this partnership, Nestlé's exclusive nutraceutical resources and EraCal's distinct drug discovery platform will be combined to explore new opportunities. By leveraging these synergies, the program intends to establish a new standard for primary nutraceuticals that can benefit people struggling with metabolic disorders.