Obesity is a chronic medical problem and has to be treated accordingly. The treatment cannot be generalized as every person responds differently to treatments and hence a medical treatment that fits one's specific requirement has to be proposed by the medical practitioner.

Because of the alarming proportions this disease has assumed, there are several treatment strategies that governmental and non-government organizations have established. Medical professionals use these broad guidelines to estimate the risk associated with the individual's state and accordingly evolve a course of treatment.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides clinical guidelines on the identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obese individuals. Medical Care for Obese Patients is also an organization that provides information on accommodating such patients independent of their treatment.