Obesity is a worrying health condition that is characterized by excessive accumulation of fat on the human body. It can have a significant negative impact on the body, including reduced life expectancy and a number of other health problems including heart disease, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea and cancer. Originally perceived as a symbol of wealth, obesity has degenerated into one of the biggest health scares for the human race, particularly in the developed and developing world.

An individual is considered to be obese when his or her body mass index, a measurement of body weight in kilogram divided by the square of height in meters, is over 30. Primary causes of obesity include lack of physical activity, genetic factors, and excessive food intake. It can be tackled by fine tuning eating habits, exercising, anti-obesity drugs and gastric surgery.