[Obesity as a medical and public health problem]

Obesity is one of the leading public health problems. Fat tissue is an organ with intensive metabolic activity whose function is to store unused energy. At the same time, it is a gland with internal secretion which secretes cytokines (adipokines) which have an endocrine, paracrine and autocrine function. Receptors for numerous hormones and cytokines are found on adipocytes. In such a way a functional connection between fat tissue and other tissues and organs is ensured. Fat tissue is part of a system of neuroendocrine regulation of body mass and metabolism. An increase in fat tissue, especially in visceral fat tissue, leads to an increase in adipokine blood concentration, which results in changes in the functioning of distant tissues and organs with which fat tissue is hormonally linked. The consequent comprehensive changes in the metabolism are termed metabolic syndrome, and are linked with further complications. The consequences of these complications are a diminished quality of life and a rise in mortality. The treatment of obesity is a long term and often unsuccessful process. Better results of treatment are achieved by a multidisciplinary approach.