Penulis: Nurul Afiedia Roslim, Wee Bee Suan, Mohd Razif Shahril, Aryati Ahmad, Lua Pei Lin

The burden that overweight and obesity among individuals is undoubtedly substantial contributing to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and pose negative impacts on people’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL), despite the various strategies implemented. Therefore, the demand for more effective, safe and acceptable therapies for reducing body weight is also escalating, including complementary and alternative therapies (CATs). These specific issues regarding CATs for weight loss were explored in this monograph. Essentially, a huge amount of research, in addition to the development of new anti-obesity drugs and dietary supplements have significantly enhance weight management recently. The emphasis is now on evaluating safety and efficacy for weight loss among excess weight individuals. This book provides consensus summary of the most commonly used CATs with an updated evidence from available clinical trial data. It will explore other adverse effects affecting the individuals after CATs supplementation and the role of CATs in reducing body weight. Although lifestyle modifications (reducing calorie intake + increase physical activity) are the first-line treatment for excess weight problems, the use of alternative measures as adjunct may help to combat overweight and obesity, subsequently improve individuals’ HRQoL. A summary of evidence from the selected randomized controlled trial (RCTs) on the CATs modalities for weight loss that has been identified and assessed is also added to improve knowledge in CATs among overweight and obesity population.