APPROACHES TO OBESITY TREATMENT: PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF BARIATRIC SURGERY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPREHENSIVE FOLLOW-UP

Abstract

Obesity is a growing global concern, with projections indicating that by 2025, around 700 million adults will be obese. This increase is accompanied by significant social pressure, leading many individuals to seek quick solutions such as surgical interventions. Obesity is defined by the WHO using the Body Mass Index and is categorized into three degrees of severity. Treatment for obesity ranges from diets and increased physical activity to surgical interventions like bariatric surgery, which has proven effective in severe cases. In Brazil, the second country performing the most bariatric surgeries, there is a growing number of procedures due to expanded medical indications. Obesity is associated with various comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, significantly impacting life expectancy. Genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors influence the prevalence of obesity, and effective treatments require multidisciplinary approaches and permanent lifestyle changes for patients.