OBESIDADE E OS NOVOS TRATAMENTOS FARMACOLÓGICOS

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease characterized by excessive body fat accumulation and associated with significant metabolic and cardiovascular complications. This study aimed to review the pathophysiology of obesity and advances in available pharmacological treatments, highlighting incretin agonists. A literature review was conducted using databases such as SciELO, PubMed, and Google Scholar, focusing on articles published in Portuguese and English over the last five years. The results demonstrated that obesity involves complex mechanisms linked to genetic, hormonal, inflammatory, environmental, and behavioral factors. Non pharmacological interventions remain fundamental to disease management, while newer therapies—such as liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide—have shown significant results in reducing body weight and improving metabolic profiles. Bariatric surgery also proved effective in severe cases of obesity. It is concluded that obesity treatment must be individualized, continuous, and multidisciplinary, combining lifestyle changes with pharmacological and surgical therapies to promote not only weight loss but also improvements in patients' health and quality of life.