Abstract

Chile has one of the highest rates of obesity worldwide. Deaths attributed to obesity are likely to increase to 204,000 by 2030. There will be also a higher economic burden associated with this disease. There are many factors associated with obesity; however, it is known that one of the most effective strategies to decrease its prevalence is reducing modifiable risk factors, such as improving dietary patterns, performing physical activity, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol as well as improving mental health. Nevertheless, how to make realize these changes is one of the biggest challenges. In this context, the aim of this literature review, chapter 2, was to investigate the main modifiable risk fac-tors, with emphasis on individual factors, associated with the development of obesity in Chile: from a global view to the Chilean context.