ABSTRACT
According to WHO recommendations obesity is defined as a BMI > 30 kg/m2 indepen dent of gender. A BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/irT indicates a preobese state and can already induce characteristic health problems. In the industrialized world between 10 and 25% of the adult population have a BMI > 30 kg/m2 and, in addition, up to 40% are preobese or over weight according to this criteria. Thus, obesity represents an epidemic that affects most popu lations and its prevalence is increasing worldwide.2
