The trend in nutritional transition in this century leads to an occidentalized diet, which, allied to a decrease in physical activity, results in increasing of obesity all over the world. It raises the risk of morbidity and mortality, since obesity is the first step to several diseases such as Diabetes type II, hypertension, cardiovascular and gallbladder diseases. Obesity is not only a scientific and public health problem, but also an industry of pharmacos, special foods and governmental strategies to encourage people to be more active and to provide more food information in order to promote better habits. Several studies all around the world discuss the causes and treatments for obesity. In this way, this paper summarizes these researches, approaching the elements associated with higher obesity incidence and prevalence, the diseases related to overweight and the treatments for reducing body fat.
obesity; etiology; diet therapy; diabetes millitus; non-insulin-dependente; morbidity
