A high caloric intake in today's nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle are the main causes of the notable increase in obesity in our society. In turn, this results in an increase in associated pathologies, such as metabolic syndrome and diabetes type 2. In the present work we review most recent studies and programs, which are significant due to their sample size and geographical diversity. It clearly shows that changes in alimentation and lifestyles are an effective instrument for combatting or delaying the onset of these diseases. In this sense, prevention is also key to avoiding serious consequences related to diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which can affect the life of the population.

Body composition assessments are important important measurements for the diagnosis and monitoring of obesity. The present study compared the body mass index (IMC) with body fat content estimated by skinfold (PT), bioelectric impedance (BIA) and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in adult women (n = 91). Although body fat estimations between methods differed, correlation between the various body composition methods was positive and statistically significant (IMC-BIA, DEXA, PT: 0.902, 0.780, 0.722, respectively; BIA-DEXA, PT: 0.794 y 0.674 respectively; DEXA-PT: 0.787, all correlations p < 0.001). In relation to concordance indexes between measurements to classify individuals in normo- or overweight, it was globally low, with the exception of the concordance between body mass index with bioimpedance, which was good, and body mass index with triceps skinfold, which was acceptable. In conclusion, the outcomes obtained in the present study suggest that body fat content estimation can be very different depending on the method employed but the good correlation existing between methods permits to compare body fat content evolution during a dietary intervention, if the analysis is always performed by the same method in the same individual.