2022emaOriginal application approval — Tirzepatide· Type 2 diabetes mellitus Mounjaro is indicated for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise as monotherapy when metformin is considered inappropriate due to intolerance or contraindications in addition to other medicinal products for the treatment of diabetes. For study results with respect to combinations, effects on glycaemic control and the populations studied, see sections 4.4, 4.5 and 5.1. Weight management Mounjaro is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥ 30 kg/m2 (obesity) or ≥ 27 kg/m2 to < 30 kg/m2 (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes mellitus). source ↗

2022emaOriginal application approval — Semaglutide· Adults Wegovy is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 (obesity), or ≥27 kg/m2 to <30 kg/m2 (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity e.g. dysglycaemia (prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus), hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease. For trial results with respect to cardiovascular risk reduction and populations studied, see section 5.1. Adolescents (≥12 years) Wegovy is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adolescents ages 12 years and above with obesity* and body weight above 60 kg. Treatment with Wegovy should be discontinued and re-evaluated if adolescent patients have not reduced their BMI by at least 5% after 12 weeks on the 2.4 mg or maximum tolerated dose. *Obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile) as defined on sex- and age-specific BMI growth charts (CDC.gov) (see Table 1 in 4.1 of SmPC). Table 1 BMI cut-off points for obesity (≥95th percentile) by sex and age for paediatric patients aged 12 and older (CDC criteria) source ↗

2015emaOriginal application approval — Liraglutide· Saxenda is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adult patients with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of • ≥ 30 kg/m² (obese), or• ≥ 27 kg/m² to < 30 kg/m² (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity such as dysglycaemia (pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus), hypertension, dyslipidaemia or obstructive sleep apnoea. Treatment with Saxenda should be discontinued after 12 weeks on the 3.0 mg/day dose if patients have not lost at least 5% of their initial body weight. Adolescents (≥12 years) Saxenda can be used as an adjunct to a healthy nutrition and increased physical activity for weight management in adolescent patients from the age of 12 years and above with: obesity (BMI corresponding to ≥30 kg/m2 for adults by international cut-off points)* and body weight above 60 kg. Treatment with Saxenda should be discontinued and re-evaluated if patients have not lost at least 4% of their BMI or BMI z score after 12 weeks on the 3.0 mg/day or maximum tolerated dose. *IOTF BMI cut-off points for obesity by sex between 12-18 years, in accordance with study design of the Trial 4180, see section 5.1. Children (6 to <12 years)Saxenda is indicated as an adjunct to healthy nutrition and increased physical activity for weight management in children from the age of 6 to <12 years with - obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile)* and- body weight ≥45 kgTreatment with Saxenda should be discontinued and re-evaluated if patients have not lost at least 4% of their BMI or BMI z score after 12 weeks on the 3.0 mg/day or maximum tolerated dose. *CDC BMI cut-off points for obesity (≥95th percentile) by sex between 6 to <12 years, in accordance with study design of the Trial 4392, see section 5.1. source ↗

2012emaGeneric approval — Pioglitazone· Pioglitazone is indicated in the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus: as monotherapy in adult patients (particularly overweight patients) inadequately controlled by diet and exercise for whom metformin is inappropriate because of contraindications or intolerance. After initiation of therapy with pioglitazone, patients should be reviewed after 3 to 6 months to assess adequacy of response to treatment (e.g. reduction in HbA1c). In patients who fail to show an adequate response, pioglitazone should be discontinued. In light of potential risks with prolonged therapy, prescribers should confirm at subsequent routine reviews that the benefit of pioglitazone is maintained. source ↗

2012emaGeneric approval — Pioglitazone· Pioglitazone is indicated as second or third line treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus as described below: as monotherapy in adult patients (particularly overweight patients) inadequately controlled by diet and exercise for whom metformin is inappropriate because of contraindications or intolerance. as dual oral therapy in combination with metformin, in adult patients (particularly overweight patients) with insufficient glycaemic control despite maximal tolerated dose of monotherapy with metformin. a sulphonylurea, only in adult patients who show intolerance to metformin or for whom metformin is contraindicated, with insufficient glycaemic control despite maximal tolerated dose of monotherapy with a sulphonylurea. as triple oral therapy in combination with metformin and a sulphonylurea, in adult patients (particularly overweight patients) with insufficient glycaemic control despite dual oral therapy. Pioglitazone is also indicated for combination with insulin in type 2 diabetes mellitus adult patients with insufficient glycaemic control on insulin for whom metformin is inappropriate because of contraindications or intolerance (see section 4.4). After initiation of therapy with pioglitazone, patients should be reviewed after 3 to 6 months to assess adequacy of response to treatment (e.g. reduction in HbA1c). In patients who fail to show an adequate response, pioglitazone should be discontinued. In light of potential risks with prolonged therapy, prescribers should confirm at subsequent routine reviews that the benefit of pioglitazone is maintained (see section 4.4). source ↗

2007emaOriginal application approval — Orlistat· Alli is indicated for weight loss in adults who are overweight (body mass index, BMI, 28 kg/m2) and should be taken in conjunction with a mildly hypocaloric, lower-fat diet. source ↗

2000emaOriginal application approval — Pioglitazone· Pioglitazone is indicated in the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus: as monotherapy: in patients (particularly overweight patients) inadequately controlled by diet and exercise for whom metformin is inappropriate because of contraindications or intolerance; as dual oral therapy in combination with: metformin, in patients (particularly overweight patients) with insufficient glycaemic control despite maximal tolerated dose of monotherapy with metformin; a sulphonylurea, only in patients who show intolerance to metformin or for whom metformin is contraindicated, with insufficient glycaemic control despite maximal tolerated dose of monotherapy with a sulphonylurea; as triple oral therapy in combination with: metformin and a sulphonylurea, in patients (particularly overweight patients) with insufficient glycaemic control despite dual oral therapy. Pioglitazone is also indicated for combination with insulin in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with insufficient glycaemic control on insulin for whom metformin is inappropriate because of contraindications or intolerance. source ↗

1998emaOriginal application approval — Orlistat· Xenical is indicated in conjunction with a mildly hypocaloric diet for the treatment of obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater or equal to 30 kg/m2, or overweight patients (BMI > 28 kg/m2) with associated risk factors. Treatment with orlistat should be discontinued after 12 weeks if patients have been unable to lose at least 5% of the body weight as measured at the start of therapy. source ↗

European Medicines Agency (CC BY 4.0). Events are matched to this condition by drug indication text — approvals/updates for drugs indicated for it, not disease-specific acts.

Research activity

28 papers

Key research shaping understanding of this disease, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.

Publications over time

2007–2025

Most influential

Overweight, obesity, and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

Archives of general psychiatry · 2010 · 2,826 cites

Abdominal visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue compartments: association with metabolic risk factors in the Framingham Heart Study.

Circulation · 2007 · 2,170 cites

Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes.

The New England journal of medicine · 2023 · 1,956 cites

Expert panel on integrated guidelines for cardiovascular health and risk reduction in children and adolescents: summary report.

Pediatrics · 2011 · 1,599 cites

Effects of targeted delivery of propionate to the human colon on appetite regulation, body weight maintenance and adiposity in overweight adults.

Gut · 2015 · 983 cites

Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial.

JAMA · 2022 · 661 cites

Recent publications

Global Effect of Cardiovascular Risk Factors on Lifetime Estimates.

The New England journal of medicine · 2025 · 59 cites

Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes by baseline and changes in adiposity measurements: a prespecified analysis of the SELECT trial.

Lancet (London, England) · 2025 · 33 cites

Resistant starch intake facilitates weight loss in humans by reshaping the gut microbiota.

Nature metabolism · 2024 · 122 cites

Trends in glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist use, 2014 to 2022.

Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA · 2024 · 109 cites

Human reproduction update · 2024 · 27 cites

Dietary impact on fasting and stimulated GLP-1 secretion in different metabolic conditions - a narrative review.

The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2024 · 27 cites

Major themes8

Overweight9
Obesity8
Cardiovascular Diseases5
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 24
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome4
Insulin Resistance3
Anti-Obesity Agents2
Body Mass Index2

Leading journals6

The New England journal of medicine3
JAMA2
Archives of general psychiatry1
Circulation1
Clinical endocrinology1
Experimental gerontology1

Leading researchers8

Buscemi S2
Colhoun HM2
Deanfield J2
Emerson SS2
Garvey WT2
He J2
Hovingh GK2
Kahn SE2

Affiliations (unnormalised)6

University of Palermo3
Cleveland Clinic2
Pennington Biomedical Research Center2
Perelman School of Medicine2
School of Public Health2
"Kore" University of Enna1

Related conditions

11 matches

Diseases frequently studied alongside this one. Number shows shared papers.

Obesity24 Weight Loss10 Cardiovascular Diseases8 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 26 Diabetes Mellitus4 Insulin Resistance4 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome4 Hypertension3 Body Weight2 Glucose Intolerance2 Metabolic Syndrome2

Disease profile

A grounded synthesis of the condition — overview, causes, mechanism, risk factors and current standard of care.

Overview

Overweight is a body-weight status above standard ranges and is commonly defined by a body mass index of 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2. The definition notes that overweight does not necessarily mean excess body fat, because body weight can be elevated for reasons other than increased adipose tissue.

Pathophysiology

Overweight is described in relation to elevated body mass index and may or may not reflect increased adiposity. The supplied grounding does not support a more specific biological mechanism for the condition itself.

Risk factors

The grounding supports higher body mass index as the defining feature of overweight, but it does not provide specific causal risk factors. Literature in the supplied abstracts links overweight and obesity with diet, exercise, and broader metabolic context, but not as established risk factors for overweight in this grounding.

Current standard of care

Management is described at the level of lifestyle and pharmacologic weight-management approaches. The supplied reviews and guidelines mention diet therapy, exercise, and drug therapy, including anti-obesity pharmacotherapy such as semaglutide, with obesity-management guidelines serving as the standard framework for adults with overweight and obesity.

AI-generated summary grounded in MeSH and 6 peer-reviewed sources. Informational only — not medical advice. Generated 2026-07-07.

Reference

Authoritative identity, definition & identifiers.

Defined in MeSH

A status with BODY WEIGHT that is above certain standards. In the scale of BODY MASS INDEX, overweight is defined as having a BMI of 25.0-29.9 kg/m2. Overweight may or may not be due to increases in body fat (ADIPOSE TISSUE), hence overweight does not equal over fat.

Identifiers

MeSHOverweight

References & data sources

Disease identity & definition — NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), public domain
Clinical trials — ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
Research activity — Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) + OpenAlex-derived paper links
Related entities are derived from literature co-mention (studied together) — associative, not causal.