ABSTRACT
The broad goal of the clinician is to promote wellness, quality of life, and longevity. An increasingly common and difficult clinical challenge is that of weight gain leading to overweight and obesity, often complicated by a diversity of health problems, diminished quality of life, and premature death. Some whose weight is only moderately elevated are severely affected by weight-related health problems, while others who are significantly overweight are spared. Therefore, susceptibility to the complications of weight gain varies, based on differences in heredity, age, ethnicity, body fat distribution, gender, and life-style. Nevertheless, for any individual, being obese is a greater health risk compared to being normal weight.
