[The problem of obesity and its shocking characteristics in Chile]

Obesity is a disease which severely affects health associated to an increase in relative mortality. The measurement of obesity is currently performed by means of the Body Mass Index (BMI). Normal BMI values are between 20 and 24.9 kg/m2. In obese individuals a central fat distribution is associated with an increased mortality in men and probably in women when compared with a peripheral distribution. Based on studies carried out in the Metropolitan Region (Greater Santiago) in 1992, it is estimated that the prevalence of obesity in the population is near 20% in men and 40% in women, with the highest prevalence being observed in women from a low socioeconomic level. The projection of these figures to the whole country gives an estimate of 2.5 million people in Chile with an increased risk of mortality due to obesity. Since there is a lack of awareness in the Chilean population of the pathology of obesity and its consequences, the implementation of programs of prevention and treatment of this disease lead by the health authorities is of paramount importance.