ABSTRACT
Obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) is one of the most prominent threats to continued improvements in health worldwide and in the United States. The prevalence of obesity has increased from 23% to 36% during the past 20 years, with the greatest relative increase observed in the very obese categories, as class III obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2) affects 6% of adults as of the year 2010 [1-4]. These trends have affected both genders and virtually all ethnic groups and all age ranges, including children. Although the most recent data suggest that the increase in obesity prevalence has slowed, the absolute prevalence of obesity remains highly concerning, given the diverse and extensive set of conditions that obesity causes.
