Highlights

This review recommends an integrative approach of acupuncture in combination with other therapeutic strategies in the weight management of women with obesity and the treatment of adiposity-incurred illnesses.

Editor’s Summary

This literature review analyses 25 clinical studies, involving 2407 participants aged 13-65 in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and North America, offering recommendations for the reliability and validity of acupuncture in the treatment of women’s obesity and adiposity-incurred illnesses.

Abstract

In addition to higher risks of various obstetric and gynaecological illnesses among women with obesity or who are overweight, maternal adiposity threatens the lifetime health of their offspring. Diverse treatments are provided, including complementary and alternative medicine such as Chinese medical practices. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicinal method, is increasingly being applied to this health problem. This literature review analyses 25 clinical studies, involving 2407 participants aged 13-65 in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and North America. This illustrates the use of acupuncture alone or with other approaches to control body weight, obesity-induced diseases, and gynaecological health. Although positive indicators are presented, this study offers recommendations for enhancing reliability and validity in further research. It therefore suggests the use of acupuncture in dealing with obesity due to its efficacy, and economic and safety benefits.

Highlights

The present review summarizes the non-drug treatment of obesity in recent years, to analyze their underlying mechanism and provide further guidance for clinical practitioners.

Editor’s Summary

For patients with obesity, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of various non-drug therapeutic methods and helping them choose the right method is the best way to fight obesity.

Abstract

Obesity, which bring a great perplex to family and society, has significant contribution to the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other comorbidities. In past four decades, the incidence of obesity has been on the alarming rise and so far about a third of the world's adults are affected by obesity. Due to the side effects and adverse reactions of drug treatment, obesity patients tend to select non-drug treatment. The present review summarizes the non-drug treatment of obesity in recent years, including acupuncture, exercise, surgery, lifestyle intervention and psychological guidance, to summarize their underlying mechanism and provide further guidance for clinical practitioners. Auricular acupuncture was proved to have the positively influence in Ghrelin, a novel obesity-related peptide hormone. Exercise could treat obesity by reducing the inflammatory factors associated with obesity. Furthermore, obesity surgery can not only reduce fat intake and nutrient absorption, but also inhibit the generation of Neuropeptide Y (NPY) by increasing the secretion of Peptide YY (PYY). Besides, breaking down psychological and behavioral barriers to lifestyle treatment of obesity will have a significant effect.