Abstract

It is a paradox of the times that obesity and starvation are both widespread causes of disability and death. Mortality increases with increasing obesity, especially in men, and weight reduction improves the prognosis. Obesity is associated with and aggravates hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, varicose veins, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, hiatus hernia and cholelithiasis, and increases the risks of anaesthesia and surgery. It also aggravates the burden of skeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis.