Defining success in obesity management.

Obesity is an exploding epidemic in the Western world, with severe consequences for the individual as well as being a burden to society. An increased awareness about the threat of obesity to health and life is therefore essential. Weight normalization is not necessary to achieve significant health benefits. Sustained moderate weight reduction has important effects on morbidity, probably affects mortality, and certainly affects psychosocial aspects of life. New realistic standards to define success should be developed.