Current status of obesity treatment in Korea: based on the 2020 Korean Society for the Study of Obesity guidelines for obesity management

Background: Obesity is a complex disease, and its prevalence is gradually increasing globally. The increasing prevalence of obesity is shown to significantly affect the development of obesity-related comorbidities. This paper describes the recent updates on obesity treatment in Korea based on the 2020 Korean Society for the Study of Obesity guidelines for obesity management. Current Concepts: Accurate evaluation of obesity is important before treatment initiation. Obesity in Korean adults is defined as body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, and abdominal obesity is defined as waist circumference ≥90 cm for men and ≥85 cm for women. It is recommended that energy intake be reduced and that the degree of energy restriction be individualized based on patient characteristics and medical conditions. Guidelines recommend assessment of the exercise participation and health status before prescribing exercise therapy; aerobic exercise for at least 150 min/week or 3-5 times/week is advised to facilitate weight loss. Although nutrition and behavior therapy and increased physical activity constitute the mainstay of obesity treatment, pharmacotherapy is recommended concomitant with comprehensive lifestyle modification. Bariatric surgery should be actively considered in patients with severe obesity and in those with obesity-related comorbidities. Discussion and Conclusion: Obesity and the associated comorbidities result in an increased socioeconomic and medical burden. Multifactorial intervention using a team approach is warranted for optimal management of obesity. This guideline will benefit primary care physicians for safe and effective decision-making regarding obesity management and treatment.