Fortunately for the millions of American adults who are overweight, obesity is now regarded as a chronic medical disease with serious health implications caused by a complex set of factors.

Obesity results from a complex interaction of genetic, behavioral and environmental factors causing an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. According to the National Institutes of Health, an increase in body weight of 20 percent or more above desirable weight is the point at which excess weight becomes an established health hazard. Lower levels of excess weight can also constitute a health risk, particularly in the presence of other disorders like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease

1. Diethylpropion (Trade names: Tenuate, Tenuate dospan)

2. Mazindole (Trade name: Sanorex)

3.Orlistat (Trade name: Xenical)

4.Phendimetrazine (Trade names: Bontril, Plegine, Prelu-2, X-Troxine)

5.Phentermine (Trade name: Adipex-P, Fastin, Ionamin, Oby-trim)

6. Sibutramine (Trade name: Meridia)

The medications listed above are currently used to treat obesity. In general, these medications are modestly effective, especially when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and moderate exercise. Average weight losses between five and 22 pounds can be expected beyond those seen with non-drug obesity treatments, when only a low-calorie diet and exercise regimen are followed. There is considerable individual variation in response to weight-loss medications; some people experience more weight loss than others.

Rarely, serious and even fatal outcomes have been reported. The FDA-approved appetite suppressant medications that affect serotonin (fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine) have been withdrawn from the market.A physician-supervised medical weight loss program may be the safest and wisest way to lose weight and maintain the loss.

Overweight and obesity are frequently accompanied by other medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer and others. A bariatric physician is trained to detect and treat these conditions, which might go undetected and untreated in a non-medical weight loss program.

The suggested weight loss program includes a diet high in complex carbohydrates and low in fat with adequate protein and other nutrients. On this type of program, your body breaks down fat instead of muscle. Carbohydrates also take up more space in the stomach than fats and proteins.