Prevention Conference VII: Obesity, a worldwide epidemic related to heart disease and stroke: Group IV: prevention/treatment.

Global Perspective The prevalence, or epidemic, of obesity is increasing in most countries throughout the world. The issues for addressing both its prevention and treatment will differ from one country to another, according to the stage of the epidemic, cultural and economic circumstances, and the commitment of the public and politicians. In some less-affluent countries the conditions that promote the positive energy balance that leads to obesity have yet to be identified. In such instances, true primordial prevention (ie, preventing the environmental conditions for obesity from occurring) may be possible. These conditions could include promoting traditional eating patterns, preserving opportunities for active transport (walking, cycling, public transport), and protecting environments against the expansion of automobile travel. In most countries, however, those conditions are present already, and therefore the response to the epidemic will involve both primary prevention (preventing the incidence of new cases of obesity) and secondary prevention (treatment of obesity to reduce complications and prevent further weight gain).