Despite the popularity of “weight loss injections” and endless trendy diets, overweight and obesity remain one of the most serious health challenges of our time. 

In Europe, about 60% of the population is overweight. For this reason, the Medical Center – University of Freiburg has opened a new Comprehensive Obesity Center Freiburg (COCF). Its goal is to ensure individualized and coordinated treatment for adults, children, and adolescents at all stages of the disease, with the involvement of specialists from various fields of medicine.

The center brings together physicians in internal medicine, surgeons, dietitians, psychologists, and exercise specialists. This approach allows obesity to be treated not just as an issue of weight, but as a complex chronic condition.

“Obesity is not just extra kilograms. It is a chronic disease that increases the risk of many other health problems,” explains Prof. Dr. Jochen Seufert, head of the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg. Together with Prof. Dr. Goran Marjanovic, head of the Section for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, he leads the new center.

According to Prof. Marjanovic, even modern medications, such as popular “weight loss injections,” rarely provide a complete solution. “In most cases, a comprehensive approach is needed: medical care, proper nutrition, physical activity, and psychological support,” he notes.

According to the World Health Organization, overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher, while obesity is a BMI of 30 or higher. BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight by the square of their height (m²) and helps doctors assess health risks.

Team-Based Medical Care

A key feature of the new center is its interdisciplinary specialist board, where doctors from different fields discuss complex cases and determine the most appropriate treatment plan for each patient.

Depending on the individual case, treatment may include lifestyle changes, medications, endoscopic procedures, or surgery.

In addition to medical care, patients are offered exercise programs, nutritional counseling, psychological support, and participation in self-help groups. Pediatricians are also involved when children or adolescents are treated.