The obesity figures in Spain, Europe and the world have become so alarming that obesity has become a public health problem and a social and health challenge where education and prevention is essential.
The Nutritional Study of the Spanish Population (ENPE) reveals that 53.6% of Spaniards are obese or overweight. Thus, 22% of Spaniards are obese and 31.6% are overweight. Both obesity and overweight increase with age, reaching the highest rate in the population group of 65 years or older.
Medical societies call for obesity to be recognized as a complex chronic disease and not as a lifestyle. Obesity management should be based on health and not on physical appearance. In its management it is essential to make lifestyle changes: it is recommended to follow a balanced and healthy diet and to practice physical exercise regularly, if it is better daily.
