Obesity has progressed in a few decades from a public health footnote in developed
countries to a top-priority international issue. Because obesity implies increased
morbidity and mortality from chronic, debilitating disorders, it is a major burden
on individuals and health systems in both developing and developed countries. Obesity
is a complex disorder unequally affecting all age groups and socioeconomic classes.
Of special concern is increasing childhood obesity. This review presents the extent
of the obesity epidemic and its impact worldwide by way of introduction to a discussion
of colon and rectal surgery in the obese patient.
Epidemiology - obesity - overweight
