Obesity is an important medical and social problem, it occupies one of the leading places among cardiovascular risk factors. Obesity is a major component of the metabolic syndrome. It has a close pathogenetic relationship with its other manifestations, as a result of which a portrait of a comorbid patient is formed. The article presents data on the prevalence, criteria for diagnosing obesity, the relationship of obesity with other components of the metabolic syndrome is shown. The role of adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity on the development and progression of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, as well as its relationship with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and arterial hypertension is discussed. It is shown that obesity is a comorbidity factor and the basis of the metabolic syndrome, the leading pathogenetic mechanism in the formation and progression of its components, preceding their occurrence. This allows us to conclude that weight loss can reduce cardiovascular risks, reduce the manifestations of the metabolic syndrome, and in some cases even eliminate them completely.