Safe, Non-Invasive Treatments Could Combat Obesity Epidemic

Novel obesity treatments such as modulation of the gut microbiome and gene therapy are underutilized and could help fight the obesity epidemic, according to a new manuscript published in Endocrine Reviews.

Nearly half of the adults and 20% of children in the U.S. have obesity, yet doctors are under-prescribing effective weight loss medications and many patients are not receiving the treatment they need. The weight stigma that exists in healthcare settings makes people with obesity hesitant to seek care until comorbidities develop and reach a dangerous stage. Lack of insurance coverage and cost issues are another factor that creates barriers to obesity treatment.

“Obesity is the epidemic crisis of our time. The disease leads to serious comorbidities such as diabetes, fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease and significantly shortens a person’s length and quality of life,” says Christos S. Mantzoros, MD, ScD, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Mass. “Until recently we did not understand the genetic and hormonal causes of obesity and how obesity leads to these comorbidities. We have recently started to understand the causes of obesity in humans, which is a big discovery that has led to designing effective therapies.”

In the article, the researchers map out the molecular and hormonal pathways that lead to obesity and the disease’s related comorbidities. This data gives researchers the insights they need to design, test and implement new obesity therapies.

The researchers highlight the need for safer and more effective obesity therapies, including new drug delivery systems, vaccines, modulation of the gut microbiome and gene therapy. Novel medications, including combinations of gastrointestinal hormones and other molecules, are being tested and are expected to lead to significant percentages of weight loss with less side effects once available. As our understanding of obesity improves, more effective medications with fewer side effects will be developed.

Recently approved medications such as semaglutide, a modified gastrointestinal hormone administered once a week, can lead to 15% weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes. Bariatric surgery can lead to up to 40% weight loss, but it is invasive and linked to complications.

“Insurance companies need to pay attention to data from studies and the scientific progress we are making and start covering the medications that are and will be approved soon, given that currently only a small minority of patients with obesity have coverage for the medications and medical care they need,” Mantzoros says. “It would be much more cost effective to cover treatments early instead of waiting for comorbidities and their complications to develop.”

Other authors of the study include: Angeliki Angelidi and Matthew Belanger of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass., and Alexander Kokkinos and Chrysi Koliaki of Laiko General Hospital in Athens, Greece.

The research received no external funding.

The manuscript, “Novel Non-invasive Approaches to the Treatment of Obesity: From Pharmacotherapy to Gene Therapy,” was published online, ahead of print.

You may also like

  • Tightrope: Obesity Management in Women During Reproductive Years

    As part of the ENDO 2025 session, “Obesity Management Across the Lifespan: Special Considerations,” Lisa Morselli, MD, PhD, talks about the unique challenges in obesity management in women during their reproductive years. On Tuesday, July 15, ENDO 2025 here in San Francisco will feature a session titled, “Obesity Management Across the Lifespan: Special Considerations.” As…

  • Anti-Obesity Medications Can Normalize Testosterone Levels in Men

    Anti-obesity medications can significantly raise testosterone levels and improve health outcomes for men with obesity or type 2 diabetes, according to a new study being presented Monday at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif. Testosterone not only plays a critical role in the body when it comes to male sexual…

Find more in