Clinical guidelines for diagnosis and management of obesity in the Czech Republic.

Guidelines for the management of obesity include recommendation about diet, exercise, behavioral modification, drug therapy and bariatric surgery in the comprehensive management of an obese patient. It is emphasized that the treatment of obesity should be individually tailored according to the age of the patient, degree and phase of obesity, body fat distribution and an expression of risk factors and comorbidities. The new realistic goals in obesity management do not focus on the weight loss per se but mainly on the risk factors reduction which accompanies even modest weight loss. The system of obesity management introduced in the Czech Republic includes obesity management centres attached to major teaching hospitals, obesity out-patient clinics (led by an obesity specialist), primary care physicians and weight reduction clubs. Postgraduate training in obesity management should be recognized by health authorities as a function specialty. A time demanding therapeutic strategy in obesity management should be taken into account by both health policy makers and health insurance companies.