Due to its high prevalence in the population, obesity represents one of the central challenges to our healthcare system. An expanded body fat mass characteristic of the obese phenotype is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and causes an enormous disease burden to the society. At present, a broad spectrum of evidence-based treatment options to reduce body weight is available which has to be tailored to the individual situation. Basis of all intervention strategies is a long-term change in lifestyle comprising a lower calorie intake and an increase in physical activity. Other treatment options include very low calorie diets, weight-lowering drugs and behavioral therapy. In patients with morbid obesity, surgical techniques offer an effective intervention. The long-term treatment success depends on the one hand on the motivation and self-management abilities of the patient and on the other on the quality and continuity of health care. Furthermore, more efforts from the society are required for a primary prevention of obesity.