Herbal Approach for Obesity Management

Obesity is a common nutritional disorder that has been rapidly increasing in the past 2 decades. By definition, obesity is a condition in which the amount of body fat increases quickly. Assessment of obesity is measured and reported by body mass index. According to published reports, 25 million people die annually due to overweight and obesity worldwide. Based on epidemiologic studies, body mass index is used to describe overweight and obesity. There is a relationship between lifestyle and body mass index, especially in women. Studies show that the impact of lifestyle on obesity in Western countries is 15% to 20%. Body mass index is defined as weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in centimeters. Body mass index of 18.5 to 24.9 is normal, less than 18.5 low weight, and values of 25 and above are considered as obese. The prevalence of obesity in many industrialized countries, especially in the United States, and in developing countries is growing; studies show that about 64% of American adults are overweight and almost 33% of them are obese. In this study, we aimed to review recent knowledge about medicinal plants that are recommended for weight loss.