Understanding obesity and the measures to combat it for the patient

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic and persistent disease that is caused by multiple factors. In Mexico, over 70% of adults are overweight or obese. Beyond the aesthetic and social impact, obesity increases the risk of suffering from multiple chronic diseases and decreases the life expectancy of those who suffer this disease. Combating obesity requires the application of various preventive measures or specialized medical and nutritional treatment. Successfully combating obesity require basic knowledge of how the body works in terms of nutrition, the regulation of food intake and the importance of energy storage in human survival. In addition, it is essential to personally determine the state of our body weight, the basic causes of obesity and its risks, prevention measures and current strategies for its treatment. This review addresses these aspects as a brief description or by expressly formulating relevant questions in the first person that could serve as a basis for a better understanding of the problem and the fight against overweight and obesity.