Overweight and the Metabolic Syndrome will provide an overview of topics related to obesity, including associated health risks, childhood obesity, genetics, evaluation, treatment, behavioral strategies, and successes and failures in preventing obesity. The body composition that underlies obesity and the metabolic syndrome is key to understanding the problem. The mechanisms by which energy balance is maintained is key to how the problem goes wrong. The metabolic syndrome is in part a consequence of central fat storage, but includes more issues such as insulin resistance, low levels of inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. This volume will cover evaluation guidelines, different approaches to treatment, including diet, exercise, behavior, drugs, and surgery to deal with the current world-wide obesity epidemic.