The obesity epidemic

Abstract

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic and represents one of the most pressing public health challenges of the modern era. Obesity carries significant health implications, including diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, and liver and kidney diseases, and ultimately a decreased life expectancy. On a societal level, obese patients incur significantly greater health costs. This chapter reviews potential determinants of obesity, including genetics, diet, and environment, and some of the preventative efforts that have been levied against this problem.