Obesity as a Global Epidemic

Obesity may be viewed as the most daunting health condition of the present time. Although obesity was once considered a problem only of high-income industrialized societies, obesity rates are rising worldwide. The WHO formally recognized obesity as a global epidemic. Obesity is not simply a cosmetic problem. There is a general agreement that obesity is a serious, chronic health problem. It is also a strong risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The main objectives of this mini review are to provide some useful and practical information on the definition and assessment of obesity, present epidemiological trends, and discuss health complications associated with the obese state that underscore the impact of obesity on Public Health.