ABSTRACT
Obesity-induced health risks result from several comorbid conditions, such as hypertension; dyslipidemia; insulin resistance with increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes; cardiorespiratory dysfunction; and some types of cancer (Sjöström 1992; Sagar 1995; Stunkard 1996). Although life expectancy is reduced proportionally to the severity of the overweight, obesity-linked morbidity is considered as one of the most preventable causes of death (McGinnis and Foege 1993). Therefore, it is evident that severe obesity should be treated in an effective way. Yet classical conservative treatments, such as
dietary and behavior therapies or the use of antiobesity drugs, are frequently unsuccessful in the long term.
