ABSTRACT
Obese women tend to suffer more from depression and mental health problems, and have worse educational, employment, financial and marriage prospects. Cornaro's story is perfect illustration of the sinister influence of obesity upon health, in his case leading to joint and stomach disorders, and quite possibly diabetes. A young obese black male from a deprived inner city area will lose up to 20 years of life because of obesity. Many people, doctors and nurses included, view obesity as a social issue, and prefer to de-medicalise the condition. The other subsection of the population to have their own unique risks and predisposing factors to obesity-related co-morbidities are men. The risk of carrying excess weight for men is so great that they even have a form of obesity named after them: 'android' obesity. The first message is that obesity, especially abdominal obesity, is a serious chronic medical condition, and the second is that the doctor's surgery is an appropriate port of call.
