Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy for Abdominal Obesity Treatment
Published on: November 22, 2024
Therapeutic Treatment for Abdominal Obesity in Adults
Dorothea Kesztyüs1, Julia Erhardt, Dorothée Schönsteiner
1Ulm University, Institute of General Medicine, Ulm, Germany; Beuth University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Distance Learning, Berlin, Germany; Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Department of Computer Science, Ulm, Germany; Ulm University, Institute of Medical Systems Biology, Ulm, Germany.
Background:
Abdominal obesity, an accumulation of fat in the abdominal region, is a risk factor for several non-communicable diseases. This review aims to identify non-surgical treatment options for abdominal obesity in adults. Interventions with behavioral, dietary, physical activity, or pharmaceutical components were compared to control conditions.
Methods:
A systematic literature research for randomized controlled trials was conducted in Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials according to a prespecified and registered protocol (PROSPERO CRD42017057898).
Results:
Out of 2954 articles, 15 studies with 2918 participants remained after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Altogether the programs achieved a -2.65cm (95% confidence interval (CI) [-3.77, -1.53]) reduction in waist circumference (WC), as a measure of abdominal obesity. Eight behavioral interventions reduced WC by -1.88cm (95% CI [-2.55, -1.22]), and six combined interventions with behavioral plus dietary and/or physical activity components by -4.11cm (95% CI [-6.17, -2.05]). The only pharmaceutical trial did not find any effect on WC.
Conclusion:
Overall, the identified interventions showed a moderate effect on WC. One reason may be that in most studies WC was a secondary outcome parameter, while only a small number of interventions primarily targeted abdominal obesity. Further research regarding the treatment of abdominal obesity is urgently needed.
Related Concept Videos
Obesity
Abdominal Aorta
The celiac trunk, a singular artery, divides into the left gastric artery, which...
Therapeutic Index
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
Ultrasound I: Abdominal Ultrasonography
Abdominal ultrasonography, commonly known as abdominal ultrasound, is a vital, non-invasive medical imaging technique widely used in healthcare.
Procedure:
This diagnostic tool allows the clinician to visually inspect internal structures within the abdomen, including vital organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen.
The abdominal ultrasound process begins with applying a special gel to the patient's skin over the abdomen. This gel enhances the...
Abdominal Regions and Quadrants
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four...

