ABSTRACT
Obesity is a worldwide pandemic representing enormous public health consequences. It is now estimated that there are 2.1 billion individuals with obesity in the world. Obesity is a condition characterized by the accumulation of excess adipose tissue. Anthropomorphic measurements such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) are typically utilized in large-scale epidemiologic studies. BMI is typically used in epidemiologic studies of overweight and obesity because of its affordability and simplicity. Obesity is associated as a significant risk factor for developing numerous comorbidities. It is also associated with increased overall mortality. Direct costs of obesity are usually defined as expenses related to services provided by a healthcare provider in a variety of settings. The prevalence of obesity is very high and represents a global pandemic. Obesity is associated with multiple chronic comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, osteoarthritis, and many others.
