Obesity is treated using one or more of these 5 proven measures:

..a diet low in calories such as VLCD or LCD Diets

..increased physical activity which usually has to be combined with VLCD or LCD
..behavior therapy to address any food addiction, and other behavioral causes for weight gainprescription medications such as Phentermine, Topiramate, the new Qsymia, Belviq etc.
..weight-loss surgery or Bariatric Surgery which forces VLCD or LCD diets post surgery.
.Correction of insulin resistance, eating disorders, sleep problems, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies etc.For most people, a non-surgical weight loss option that combines all the above measures except surgery under careful medical supervision of an obesity medicine trained physician is the way to go.

A very low calorie diet (VLCD) is not just any diet that is low in calories. It is a special type of diet that replaces all of your meals with prepared formulas, often in the form of liquid shakes.A VLCD may be used for a short time to promote quick weight loss among some people who are considered to be obese. The diet requires close care from your doctor and is usually combined with other ways to lose weight

This fact sheet will tell you more about the risks and benefits of this type of diet. Do not go on a VLCD on your own. If you need to lose weight, talk to your health care provider about the approaches that may work best for you.A VLCD is a special diet that provides up to 800 calories per day. VLCDs use commercial formulas, usually liquid shakes, soups, or bars, which replace all your regular meals. These formulas are not the same as the meal replacements you can find at grocery stores or pharmacies, which are meant to replace one or two meals a day.

Depending on a number of factors, healthy adults need different amounts of calories to meet their daily energy needs. A standard amount is about 2,000 calories. VLCDs provide far fewer calories than most people need to maintain a healthy weight. This type of diet is used to promote quick weight loss, often as a way to jump-start an obesity treatment program.

VLCD formulas are designed to provide all of the nutrients you need while helping you lose weight quickly. However, this type of diet should only be used for a short time—usually about 12 weeks.

VLCDs may be used to promote rapid weight loss among adults who have obesity. Health care providers must review risks and benefits on a case-by-case basis.

The Low-calorie Diet (LCD)
An LCD limits calories, but not as much as a VLCD. A typical LCD may provide 1,000–1,200 calories/day for a woman and 1,200–1,600 calories/day for a man

The number of calories may be adjusted based on your age, weight, and how active you are.An LCD usually consists of regular foods, but could also include meal replacements. As a result, you may find this type of diet much easier to follow than a VLCD.
FDA approves weight-management drug Qsymia (Phentermine and Topiramate)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise for chronic weight management.The drug is approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese) or adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).BMI, which measures body fat based on an individual’s weight and height, is used to define the obesity and overweight categories. AFor more information:

• • Approved Drugs: Questions and Answers

• FDA: Consumer Update – Medications Target Long-Term Weight Control
• CDC: Overweight and Obesity

Appetite Suppressant weight loss prescription medications:

Most available weight-loss medications approved by the FDA are appetite-suppressant medications. These include phentermine, phendimetrazine, and diethylpropion. Appetite-suppressant medications promote weight loss by decreasing appetite or increasing the feeling of being full. These medications make you feel less hungry by increasing one or more brain chemicals that affect mood and appetite. Phentermine or Adipex is the most commonly prescribed appetite-suppressant in the United States.
 Lipase Inhibitors. In 1999, the FDA approved the drug Xenical (orlistat) as a prescription weight loss drug. Orlistat reduces the body’s ability to absorb dietary fat by about one-third. It does this by blocking the enzyme lipase, which is responsible for breaking down dietary fat. When fat is not broken down, the body cannot absorb it, so it is eliminated and fewer calories are taken in.

In early 2007, orlistat was approved for over-the-counter (OTC) sale for adults age 18 and over. This means that the drug may be purchased without a prescription. The OTC version of orlistat is sold under the brand name alli. Alli is meant to be taken with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet, exercise, and a daily multivitamin. Its side effects are similar to those for prescription orlistat. Anyone considering taking alli should read information about side effects, drug interactions, and usage recommendations on the drug’s packaging or website, http://www.myalli.com.

Other Medications For Weight Loss The following types of medication(s) are not FDA-approved for the treatment of obesity. However, they have been shown to promote short-term weight loss in clinical studies and may be prescribed off-label.

Drugs to treat depression. Some antidepressant medications have been studied as appetite-suppressant medications. While these medications are FDA-approved for the treatment of depression, their use in weight loss is an off-label use (see the box below). Studies of these medications have generally found that patients lose modest amounts of weight for up to 6 months, but that patients tend to regain weight while they are still on the drug. One exception is bupropion. In one study, patients taking bupropion maintained weight loss for up to 1 year.

Drugs to treat seizures. Two medications used to treat seizures, topiramate and zonisamide, have been shown to cause weight loss. Whether these drugs will be useful in treating obesity is being studied.
Prescription weight-loss drugs are approved for those with:

• A body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above.
• A BMI of 27 and above with an obesity-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or dyslipidemia (abnormal amounts of fat in the blood).

BMI is a measure of weight in relation to height that helps determine if your weight places your health at risk. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. A BMI of 25 to 30 is considered overweight, and a BMI over 30 is considered obese.

Potential Benefits of Medication Treatment
People respond differently to weight-loss medications, and some people experience more weight loss than others. Weight-loss medications lead to an average weight loss of about 10 pounds more than what you might lose with nondrug obesity treatments. Maximum weight loss usually occurs within 6 months of starting the medicine. Weight then tends to level off or increase during the remainder of treatment.

Over the short term, weight loss in individuals who are obese may reduce a number of health risks. Studies have found that weight loss with some medications improves blood pressure, blood cholesterol, triglycerides (fats), and insulin resistance (the body’s inability to use blood sugar). New research suggests that long-term use of weight-loss drugs may help individuals keep off the weight they have lost.

List Of Prescription Weight Loss Medications That Promote Weight Loss.