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The Disease That Is Obesity

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Management of Nutritional and Metabolic Complications of Bariatric Surgery

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Abstract

Obesity represents a modern epidemic and an ever-growing problem for individuals, healthcare systems, and societies. As it is presently defined, the incidence and prevalence of obesity continue to grow at alarming rates and, with it, the physical and psychosocial ramifications that negatively influence health, longevity, and productivity. While history is replete with examples of obesity that long predate the modern period, more recently available longitudinal assessments of anthropometrics and metabolic illness demonstrate that the distribution of this disease is weighted toward the developed world. Consequently, much work toward elucidating the etiologies of obesity has focused on those factors peculiar to developed nations, their cultures, their food supplies, and their resources. While the origins of obesity have proven to be multifaceted and complex, it is perhaps not surprising that the efforts to address the disease have been limited in effectiveness, scope, and durability. Here we present a review of the current epidemiology of obesity in adults and offer a discussion on contemporary and evolving theories of the origins of this disease. We offer insights into the consequences of obesity on multiple scales. Finally, we call attention to the need for ongoing multidisciplinary study so that efforts at mitigating and ultimately reversing this unfortunate trend can be better assessed, improved, and distributed.

Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. Most of the world’s population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight.

– World Health Organization

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    James Senturk & Scott Shikora

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  1. James Senturk
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  2. Scott Shikora
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Correspondence to James Senturk .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bariatric and Laparoscopic Surgery, Global Hospital, Mumbai, India

    Aparna Govil Bhasker

  2. Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai, India

    Nimisha Kantharia

  3. Belle Vue Clinic, Kolkata, India

    Sarfaraz Baig

  4. Belle Vue Clinic, Kolkata, India

    Pallawi Priya

  5. Dr. Aparna’s - Laparoscopy & Bariatric Surgery Centre, Currae Specialty Hospital, Mumbai, India

    Mariam Lakdawala

  6. Dr. Aparna’s - Laparoscopy & Bariatric Surgery Centre, Sterling hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

    Miloni Shah Sancheti

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Senturk, J., Shikora, S. (2021). The Disease That Is Obesity. In: Bhasker, A.G., Kantharia, N., Baig, S., Priya, P., Lakdawala, M., Sancheti, M.S. (eds) Management of Nutritional and Metabolic Complications of Bariatric Surgery. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4702-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4702-1_1

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