"Obesity can and should be treated." New opportunities for greater accessibility of therapy
- Obesity can and should be treated, says Prof. Artur Mamcarz, head of the 3rd Clinic of Internal Medicine and Cardiology at the Medical University of Warsaw.
- Member of the Board of the Polish Society for the Treatment of Obesity and President of the Polish Society for Holistic Medicine talks about new opportunities for greater accessibility of therapy
- As he reminds us, obesity causes up to 200 different complications; it affects virtually every body system, posing a serious threat to health and life.
- Obesity - as he argues - needs to be treated - especially since we have effective tools that are becoming more and more available
As Professor Artur Mamcarz points out, the perception of obesity has changed over the years.
"Historically, people had to put a lot of effort into obtaining food: they hunted, gathered fruit and mushrooms, and cultivated the land. All of this involved significant physical effort. Furthermore, resources were limited. The situation changed with the development of civilization and the emergence of various transportation and technological advances, but above all, cheap, accessible, highly processed, and high-calorie foods," the expert reminds.
He adds, "Today, instead of chasing game, we take out our smartphones and order food delivered to our homes. We don't even have to take a single step. This lifestyle has led to the growing incidence of metabolic disorders and diabetes, hypertension , coronary heart disease , but also overweight and obesity , which were initially perceived as an unwanted symptom accompanying the aforementioned disorders and illnesses – a cosmetic defect rather than a problem in itself."
"Patients with obesity were 'invisible.' Today we know that obesity is a disease that can and should be effectively treated," explains Prof. Artur Mamcarz.
Obesity, classified in the International Classification of Diseases under code E66, negatively affects virtually all body systems.
It is known that obesity is a risk factor for, among others, heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation, which, if left untreated, can lead to ischemic stroke .
Obesity is also a risk factor for atherosclerosis , fatty liver disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, many cancers (including breast cancer), a cause of degenerative conditions of the musculoskeletal system, nephrological disorders, and a basis for the development of mental disorders.
Obesity causes up to 200 different complications. It affects virtually every body system, posing serious threats to health and life.
The Invisible Patient? Obesity Can Be Effectively Treated Today!"In this context, we as clinicians perceive any movement related to so-called body positivity as a threat – especially since children and young adults in Poland are gaining weight at the fastest rate in Europe. Instead of trying to "tame" 10, 20, 30, or more kilograms of excess weight, we want to offer patients effective treatment, simultaneously supporting them in positive self-perception and working on self-esteem. Modern medicine has many options in this area," emphasizes Prof. Artur Mamcarz.
According to the expert, over the years not only the perception of obesity has changed, but also the range of procedures that can be used to treat it.
"It's known that, especially in advanced and long-term obesity, hormonal changes in the patient's body are so significant that recommendations like 'eat less and move more' are unlikely to be effective. The patient knows they should consume fewer calories, but what good is that if they simply can't follow these recommendations? While lifestyle changes are crucial at every stage of therapy, there are situations in which surgical interventions or pharmacotherapy are necessary," says Prof. Artur Mamcarz.
Current standards of obesity treatment include interdisciplinary treatment, including behavioral methods such as lifestyle changes, working on nutritional beliefs, and pharmacological or surgical methods tailored to the individual needs of each patient.
As Professor Artur Mamcarz points out, there has been particularly significant progress in the field of pharmacotherapy used to treat obesity.
Greater availability of therapies for obesity treatment"From the first drugs used to treat diabetes and later obesity, which, although effective, caused a number of side effects, we have moved to a stage where the pharmaceuticals used are safe, effective, and well-tolerated by patients. Some forms of pharmacotherapy involve administering a dose of the drug once a week via injection, affecting both the hormonal system and the patient's sense of satiety and appetite regulation. The effects of these types of medications are therefore multifaceted, and the form of administration is convenient for patients," explains Professor Artur Mamcarz.
The development of pharmacotherapy for obesity offers many patients hope for effective treatment. However, financial constraints can currently hinder its use.
"The monthly cost of therapy with modern medications for the treatment of obesity is approximately 1,000 złoty or more. We realize this is a significant expense for many households, so although we are fully convinced of the benefits a patient could derive from the therapy, we always leave the decision to implement treatment to the patient," explains Prof. Artur Mamcarz.
In May 2025, Gedeon Richter Plc. and Adalvo Ltd. announced an agreement for the joint development and potential future commercialization of a product equivalent to the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide . This represents an opportunity to make treatment for metabolic disorders more accessible.
"The mechanism of creating generic drugs after the patents on original drugs expire is standard market practice. Today, for example, it's difficult to imagine the pharmaceutical market without various generic forms of statins, ACE inhibitors, and beta-blockers, used to treat common conditions such as hypertension and various cardiovascular diseases. The prospect of generic forms of modern medications used to treat obesity means that more patients will have the opportunity to access effective treatment," comments Professor Artur Mamcarz.
He adds that this is important in the light of epidemiological forecasts indicating a growing incidence of obesity and an increased demand for effective weight management solutions.
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