Syndrome X and the Benefits of Weight Loss

Obesity is the most common metabolic disorder in the Western world. Defined by a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30, it affects an estimated 33% of Americans, including more than 58 million adults in the United States (1). According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) guideline published in 1998, approximately 97 million or 55% of adults in the United States are overweight or obese (2). Though a major contributor to the cost of illness in the United States, the prevalence of obesity is increasing despite evidence indicating that weight loss, even if moderate, can improve health status and lessen the incidence of obesity-related disease (3–6). Studies show that a 10% decline in body weight cuts death and morbidity rates per million by 280 and 400, respectively (6,7).