Obesity is mainly caused by overeating and
inactivity. In developed and developing countries, it
is now recognized that the morbidity and mortality
rate are increased in individuals classified as obese.
It is believed that the higher morbidity and mortality
rate of obese people are due to the increased
incidence lifestyle-related diseases. Obesity is the
most important risk factor for the incidences of
lifestyle-related diseases. Among the lifestyle-related
diseases associated with obesity, diabetes hypertension,
hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis and certain
types of malignant cancers (uterine, breast, prostatic,
colon and so on) are prominent. Factors which
increase the morbidity rate of obese people include a
degree of obesity and abnormal fat distribution, such
as upper body obesity and visceral obesity. Recently,
the definition of "pathological obesity" has been a
matter of dispute.