The condition in which excess fat has accumulated in the body (mostly in the tissues beneath the skin), which is usually caused by the consumption of more food than is required for producing enough energy for daily activities. Obesity is usually considered to be present when a person is 20% above the recommended weight for his or her height and build. It is measured by means of the body mass index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing a person’s weight by the square of their height. A BMI of 18.5-25 kg/m2 is regarded as within the normal range; someone with a BMI of over 25 would be considered to be overweight, and a BMI of 30 or more indicates clinical obesity.

Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder of Western societies and predisposes to many health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. The main treatment is dietary restriction; drug treatment (if considered necessary) should only be used in conjunction with a carefully controlled diet.
Anti-obesity drugs that act on the digestive tract include orlistat and methylcellulose; phentermine acts on the brain to suppress appetite and should only be used on selected patients for short periods.

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