[Update on current care guidelines: management of adult obesity].

Diagnosis is based on body mass index and waist circumference. The aim of treatment is to prevent and alleviate obesity comorbidities (e.g. type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, sleep apnoea and osteoarthritis) through a permanent weight reduction of at least 5%. The core element in management is lifestyle counselling on eating and exercise behaviours. This should be organised in primary care. Modalities supporting lifestyle changes include very-low-energy diets and orlistat drug therapy. Obesity surgery is indicated in cases of morbid obesity, if the appropriate conservative therapies do not lead to substantial weight loss. A flowchart presenting treatment options at different levels of health care is introduced.