ABSTRACT
The prevalence of being overweight or obese has recently been recognised as a serious health problem in most developed nations (WHO, 2000a). There are implications for the transition from being classed as overweight to being considered obese; these conditions are linked to increases in health problems such an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stroke, dyslipidaemia, osteoarthritis, and some cancers (Burton et al., 2005). The prevalence of obesity is approximately 15-20% of the population in Europe, and estimated to be as high as 22% in children, 26% in men and 31% in women (Seidell and Flegal, 1997). Obesity and its related diseases have become a major health concern in the United States (Wilborn et al., 2005) and in the AsiaPacific region (Cockram, 2000) with evidence suggesting that obesity-related mortality may differ among racial and ethnic groups (Savage et al., 1991; Deurenberg and Deurenberg-Yap, 2003). Data from the England Health Survey indicate that the proportion of overweight or obese men between the ages of 16 and 64 increased from 45% in 1986-1987 to 64% in 2002-2003. The same statistics calculated for women indicate a rise from 36 to 58% during the same period (Leicester and Windmeijer, 2004). It has been suggested that 70% of men and 80% of women in the UK are insufficiently active to benefit their health (Sports Council, Health Education Council, 1992).
