Human beings have grappled with obesity for thousands of years.
Greek philosopher and physician Galen described “bad humors” as the cause of obesity and prescribed low-calorie foods, massages, baths, greens and garlic to his patients to help them slim down. In the 18th century, William Banting successfully lost weight following a low-carb diet and spread his mantra to the public in a pamphlet called a “Letter on Corpulence,” which sold faster than chocolates. In June 2013, the American Medical Association passed a Resolution 420 declaring obesity as a disease, paving the way for treatment reimbursement.
All the while, health care providers have been intimately trying to find an etiology and a cure for this common but complex condition. Treating obesity has become a multi-billion dollar business; as its incidence and prevalence grows, so too does the bank accounts of investors trying to market the next miracle cure.
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