The "normal" body weight (BW) is usually up to 10% above the "ideal" body weight (IBW). A BW of 10% to 20% above IBW is considered as overweight, and 20% above IBW is considered as obesity. In industrialized, western countries, 20% to 45% of the population is suffering from obesity.

Obesity represents a therapeutic challenge in that both excess body weight and the concomitant medical conditions often