IntroductionObesity is clinically defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2 and is the accumulation of excess adipose tissue1. It is currently considered an epidemic due to the increasingly large proportion of obese adults, the incidence of which has increased rapidly in recent years. Over a five-year period, between 1995 and 2000, an increase of 100 million obese people worldwide was predicted. 2. In the UK, it is estimated that over 25% of adult men and women are obese and these figures are thought to continually increase. with estimates that 60% of adult men and 50% of adult women will be obese by 2025. 3 Being a huge burden on the NHS, it has been predicted that £5 billion will be spent annually to prevent and treat complications linked to excess weight worldwide. UK, which represents almost 5% of the total NHS budget (£5bn/£108bn).4 The cost of obesity on the NHS will increase in correlation with the increasing incidence shown. Obesity is a very complex condition as there are many physiological factors and psychological dimensions. The complications accompanying the disease are multiple and are associated with the increased risk of many other pathologies. We are thought to live in an obesogenic environment due to an interaction of environmental, developmental, and cultural influences. The main cause of this disorder is believed to be due to a combination of a sedentary lifestyle accompanied by increased consumption of poor quality foods high in calories and sugar. The lack of energy expenditure could be explained by the fact that many people work a large number of hours, most days of the week, in jobs that require minimal physical activity and it is often difficult to accomplish the ...... middle of paper recommended. .... understand the diversity of individuals. Viewing obesity as a disability may be inappropriate in cases where some are still able to function at an acceptable level, but it may be appropriate in cases where they are unable to cope. This establishes the transition point where obesity actually results in significant disability. The goal of the healthcare team should be to prevent the development of these impairments caused by obesity by trying to avoid further deterioration of the patient's health status. This will involve ensuring that people prone to excessive weight gain are educated and supported to prevent them from becoming obese. This can be done through motivational interviewing and appropriate education along with the right resources available and will result in some people not progressing to the stage of becoming disabled..