• American Heart Association

A specific definition of obesity and the major risks that come along with the disease.

• American Society for Bariatric Surgery

Founded by American surgeons to better perfect the art of weight loss surgery.

• Centers for Disease Control -- Obesity Home Page

Comprehensive Web site covering causes, effects and statistics about obesity in the United States.

• Childhood Obesity

The American Academy of Pediatrics' Web site dedicated to work for improvement in obesity prevention, treatment, advocacy and reimbursement.

• The Developing World's New Burden: Obesity

A look at obesity in relation to other food-related epidemics -- like hunger -- how this disease has spread, and what we can do to prevent and stop it (from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).

• Mayo Clinic - Obesity

A not-for-profit medical practice dedicated to diagnosis and treatment of complex illness--including obesity.

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Recommendations from the US Surgeon General to prevent obesity.

• Weight-Control Information Network: Do You Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight?

Covers causes and effects of obesity and features supplemental information such as health recommendations and a body mass index table (from the National Institutes of Health).

• Women's Health -- Obesity and Weight Loss

Answers questions about obesity diagnosis, weight loss options and surgical procedures (from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Women's Health Information Center).

• World Health Organization -- Obesity

Explores the global epidemic of an overweight and obese population. WHO has researched the social and psychological dimensions of this disease. Links include information about geopolitical regions including Europe and the Western Pacific.