Resumo

CHEN-KU, Chih Hao  e  SANDI-BOGANTES, María Gabriela. Actualización en obesidad. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2004, vol.46, suppl.1, pp.07-14. ISSN 0001-6002.

The prevalence of obesity around the world has risen dramatically in the last 20 years and Costa Rica is following this trend. Body mass index is still the most widely used measuring unit used to define obesity. Obesity is associated with several medical conditions and every day it is associated with new ones including cancer and heart failure all of which will increase morbidity and mortality in these patients. Body weight regulation is not just determined by energy expenditure and consumtion but there are several endocrine signals that will determine body weight and composition. Our view of the treatment of obesity should change and recognize it and treat it as a chronic disease with maintenance of lifestyle modifications and pharmacological treatment over the years. Nowadays we have treatment that will not only produce weight loss but will also reduce the incidence of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.

Palavras-chave : obesidad; sobrepeso; tratamiento.