title: [Nutrition and health--obesity].
abstract: About 12% of the adult Dutch population is obese (Quetelet Index > or = 30 kg/m2). The prevalence has roughly doubled over the past 20 years. Obesity is strongly associated with a number of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, increased healthcare costs and a loss of productivity. Obesity is always the result of a mismatch between energy intake and energy expenditure. Foods with a high percentage of energy derived from fat are associated with weight gain, particularly when the rest of the energy is obtained from products containing little dietary fibre. Foods with a high content of refined added sugars or starch might be unfavourable with respect to the energy balance and the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Slimming diets should aim for a gradual and sustained weight loss of about 10% of the initial weight over a period of six months, followed by weight maintenance over the next two years. Physical activity is an essential component of a weight loss strategy. Moderate sustained weight loss is associated with a strong reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in people with impaired glucose tolerance.
authors.affiliation: Vrije Universiteit, faculteit Aard- en Levenswetenschappen, afd. Voeding en Gezondheid, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam. seidell@bio.vu.nl
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Seidell
authors.forename: T L S
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Visscher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D015431:Weight Loss