Abstract
Obesity is defined as a state of excess body fat and is classified by body mass index, though body fat distribution should also be taken into consideration. The prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally. The etiology of most cases of obesity rests in a complex interplay between environmental, genetic, and psychosocial contributors, with endocrinological causes of obesity being responsible for only a minority of cases. Obesity carries with it many medical co-morbidities, including diabetes mellitus, several cardiac risk factors, an increased risk of malignancy, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and several psychosocial issues. Through these co-morbidities, obesity has a pronounced impact on disability and mortality. While an effective means of obesity prevention continues to evade us on a population level, a hypocaloric diet, a sustained commitment to physical activity, and attention to individual psychosocial and environmental contributors to obesity can be successful in weight reduction and maintenance of a healthy body weight.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Present Knowledge in Nutrition |
| Editors | John W. Erdman Jr., Ian A. Macdonald, Steven H. Zeisel |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Place of Publication | Ames, Iowa |
| Publisher | Wiley-Blackwell |
| Publication date | 18 Jun 2012 |
| Edition | 10 |
| Pages | 709-720 |
| Chapter | 45 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-0-470-95917-6 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-0-470-96307-4 |
| Publication status | Published - 18 Jun 2012 |
