Abstract

Obesity incidence and prevalence rates are extremely high and growing, in both sexes and in all age groups.The consequences on physical and psychological status, on disability, on the quality of life call for complex andcoordinated action strategies, both in terms of primary prevention and in terms of treatment and secondary prevention.The definition of these strategies must concern authorities in charge of public health, research centres, scientific societies,basic and specialist health facilities. On the basis of international scientific literature and experiences carried out in Italy, therehabilitation approach proves to be the most appropriate for the treatment of obesity: it is best suited for the chronic features and the presence of co-morbidity and disabilities and the need to have various professionals involved in the treatment. This approach must be adjusted to the clinical, functional and psychological features of the patient and mustbecome intensive when the level of seriousness and co-morbidity of obesity is high, when the psychic status is particularlyfragile and disturbed, when the impact on disability and the quality of life of the patient is burdensome and invalidating.