ABSTRACT
Obesity can no longer be regarded simply as a cosmetic problem affecting certain individuals, but rather as an epidemic that requires effective measures for its prevention and management (World Health Organization 2000). Although obesity is increasingly seen as a chronic disease for which no cure exists, its management requires continual care within an integrated multidisciplinary approach (Scheen et al. 1994). Body weight is determined by a complex interaction among genetic, environmental, and psychosocial
factors. Although genetic components are very important, the principal causes of the accelerating problem of obesity worldwide are best explained by changing behaviors and environment, leading to increased energy intake and decreased energy expenditure (Cooney 2002).
