title: Causes of obesity.
abstract: The prevalence of obesity has been rising steadily over the last several decades and is currently at unprecedented levels: more than 68% of US adults are considered overweight, and 35% are obese (Flegal et al., JAMA 303:235-241, 2010). This increase has occurred across every age, sex, race, and smoking status, and data indicate that segments of individuals in the highest weight categories (i.e., BMI > 40 kg/m(2)) have increased proportionately more than those in lower BMI categories (BMI < 35 kg/m(2)). The dramatic rise in obesity has also occurred in many other countries, and the causes of this increase are not fully understood (Hill and Melanson, Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:S515-S521, 1999).
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Weight Control Program, Weill-Cornell Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital, 1165 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA. smw2004@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Louis J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Aronne
mesh_terms: D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology