ABSTRACT
Although the epidemic nature of obesity is a fairly recent problem in most strata of society, the condition is now widely prevalent. Causes of the epidemic probably include an ever-decreasing average level of habitual physical activity and in many people a minor degree of overeating relative to energy expenditures that has continued for many years. Correction of the problem requires a reversal of both trends – an increase of habitual activity and a more careful control of eating habits, with anticipation of a successful achievement of the desired body mass by an equally slow process. Much of the research to date has been based on rather crude observations of changes in body mass and subjective estimates of habitual physical activity. Future advances in knowledge will come from carefully controlled studies that focus on objective measurements of habitual physical activity and careful determinations of body fat content, and particularly information on the abdominal accumulation of fat.
