[Treatment of obesity]

There are three main goals to the treatment of obesity: prevention and treatment of the complications, realistic reduction of excess weight, psychological well-being. Each individual is in a specific clinical situation and interindividual variability is wide so stereotypic therapeutic schemes are of little use. Treatment calls upon physical exercise, dietary counseling, drugs, and exceptionally surgery. Psychological support is an integral part of patient management. Treatment of respiratory complications focuses on preventing thromboembolism and management of sleep apnea syndrome and alveolar hypoventilation.