Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Obesity in the United States has been on a constant rise since the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began tracking it over 50 years ago. Despite focused attention on this epidemic, pharmacological treatments aimed at obesity are lacking. Here, we briefly give perspective on the central and peripheral mechanisms underlying feeding behaviors and describe the existing pharmacological treatments for obesity. With this lens, I suggest future targets for the treatment of obesity. RECENT FINDINGS: Given the development of genetic and molecular tools, understanding of how energy expenditure is modulated is becoming more nuanced. There is growing evidence for a link between obesity and addiction, which should be utilized in the development of new pharmacological treatments. SUMMARY: More focus is needed on identifying targets for anti-obesity pharmacology. In doing so, research should include intensive investigation of the brain's reward circuitry.