Obesity (adiposity) is considered as the most serious public health problem of the 21st
century. This disease has reached epidemic proportions and the rates are increasing globally. A
clear understanding of who is at risk becoming obese and for what reasons is urgently needed.
The aim of this book is to focus on the epidemiological investigation of long-term trends in
the prevalence of obesity across different subgroups among adults in Austria. Furthermore
relative inequalities for obesity are presented and selected obesity-associated diseases and
disorders are examined. This book gives a detailed insight on the evolution of obesity in a
developed European country. Referring to the outcomes public health implications are derived
to get this problem under control. Author Franziska Großschädl (born 1984) lives and works in
Graz Austria. She received her doctor s degree in Medical Science with specialization in
epidemiology and works at the Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology (Medical
University Graz). For several years she conducts research in the field of obesity and
successfully published scientific articles as well as presented at international conferences.
