People the world over are getting fatter. Today more than one-
third of adults in the United States are obese, and the rates in
other industrialized countries are catching up. Obesity is no
longer considered a condition particular to affluent
societies—it has now spread to developing nations such as China
and India, resulting in a global health crisis. According to the
World Health Organization, 500 million adults worldwide are now
obese, and this number is expected to climb well into the
foreseeable future. Obesity is so problematic because it poses
serious threats to personal health and well-being. Obese people
are at an increased risk of chronic and potentially debilitating
diseases such as cardiovascular disease and stroke, certain
forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and asthma,
among others. And the impact of obesity on an individual’s work
and family life can be far-reaching, affecting a person’s
employability, work productivity, and ability to pursue
interests and activities of daily life.