The review presents epidemiological observations of recent years about the prevalence of overweight and obesity in different countries among people of different gender, age and social groups, and ethnicity. It also presents and analyses health risks and comorbidities leading to disability and death according to national and foreign researchers. It was found that the pathogenesis of obesity was multifactorial and also it was noted the importance of energy balance, consumed and expended calories. It was emphasized the need of a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment and prevention of the disease. The significant influence of the environment and increasing urbanization on the development of the pathology as well as the role of government support in relation to increasing physical activity of the population, including integrated interdisciplinary programs with environmental changes to increase physical activity and control over the quality of food was investigated. The priority areas for correction of overweight including optimization motion activity and correction of the diet were identified.