Obesity
Obesity
Author: Kaveh Azizi
Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by an increased amount of body fat that negatively affects health. According to the Public Health Agency of Sweden, 18% of the adult population in Sweden had obesity in 2024. If both overweight and obesity are included, the proportion is even higher – 54% of adults in Sweden aged 16–84 have either overweight or obesity. Its prevalence increases with age and is slightly more common among men than women.
Symptoms of obesity
Common issues that can be related to obesity include increased fatigue, shortness of breath, sleep apnea, joint and back pain, and mental health problems such as depression. Obesity is also strongly linked to a range of associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, fatty liver, and certain types of cancer.
Diagnosis of obesity
Obesity is usually diagnosed using Body Mass Index (BMI), where a value above 30 indicates obesity. For a more detailed assessment, waist circumference, body composition, and metabolic risk factors like blood sugar and blood lipids are also used. An important part of diagnosis and treatment is understanding that obesity is a complex disease with genetic, psychological, and environmental causes, and not solely a result of lifestyle choices.
“Obesity is a chronic, treatable disease. Through continued research and relevant studies, we can help develop safer and more long-term treatments, tailored to the individual.”
Kaveh Azizi
MD
Current treatment for obesity
The treatment of obesity is multifaceted and individualized. The basic strategy involves combined lifestyle intervention, which includes dietary counseling, physical activity, and behavioral support. Medication with GLP-1 analogues (e.g., semaglutide) and dual GIP/GLP-1 analogues (e.g., tirzepatide) has shown good effects on weight loss and metabolism. Surgical procedures such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy are relevant for severe obesity and have been shown to provide long-term weight loss and improved health.
Why is it important to develop new treatment methods for obesity?
Despite many advancements, current treatments have several limitations. Many medications for obesity can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. The effect often only lasts as long as the treatment continues, which means there's a risk of weight regain after treatment ends. Surgery is effective but always carries risks associated with the operation and is not suitable for everyone. Furthermore, many treatments are costly and not always subsidized. There is a great need for safer, more long-term, and individualized treatment options – something clinical trials can contribute to.
CTC's experience in obesity research
CTC has conducted several clinical studies in obesity, in both early and later phases. Among other things, CTC has included several hundred participants in a number of large studies who were assigned to different treatment options, and where the study medication in the trial showed good effects on weight loss. CTC has also conducted studies to investigate how to reduce gastrointestinal side effects, which is a common problem and causes many patients to stop taking their obesity medication. Several of the studies conducted by CTC have been published in scientific journals.
Scientific Journals:
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