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Bariatric Endoscopy pp 1–9Cite as

The Epidemiology of Obesity

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Abstract

Obesity is a major global health problem. Because the causes of obesity are multifactorial and poorly understood, predicting future trends in obesity presents a substantial challenge. The simplest and least expensive intervention is lifestyle modification, including more exercise and a less sedentary lifestyle. However, once severe obesity is present, dietary and behavioral approaches are minimally effective in producing clinically significant and sustained weight loss. While bariatric surgery has been shown to be effective in treating class III obesity on a long-term basis, logistics, cost, and fear of complications prevent its use on a population-wide basis. Only through better understanding of the underlying physiologic causes will an enduring solution be found.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. General and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, Hospital Menonita Aibonito, Coamo, Puerto Rico, USA

    Kervin Arroyo M.D.

  2. Section of Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery, Division of Metabolic, Endocrine and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 5 East 98th Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY, 10029, USA

    Daniel M. Herron M.D.

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  1. Kervin Arroyo M.D.
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  2. Daniel M. Herron M.D.
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Correspondence to Daniel M. Herron M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, Division of Gastroenterology,, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St, ASB2, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Christopher C. Thompson

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Arroyo, K., Herron, D.M. (2013). The Epidemiology of Obesity. In: Thompson, C. (eds) Bariatric Endoscopy. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1710-2_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1710-2_1

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