OBESITY, A REAL PERSISTENT PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM IN MEXICO

Obesity is a real persistent public health problem in our country that increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological evidences make clear the substantial increase that it has had over time, resulting in an economic impact on health expenditures. The fundamental cause of the presence of this epidemic is due to the modification of lifestyles, which involve bad dietary habits, as well as little or no physical activity; so to focus attention on these styles can be the key not only to solve the problem, but to prevent it. The present review focuses on exposing the most relevant aspects of obesity as a public health problem in our country and the world, based on its conceptualization and classification, the epidemiological figures over the years, the economic implications, as well as the as the causes and strategies for its prevention and control.