The literature review examines the problem of obesity in modern society. It has been shown that obesity aggravates concomitant diseases, increases the probability of developing metabolic disorders and related pathologies, increases the risk of complications and mortality. The secretory function of adipose tissue, its participation in the regulation of biological processes is considered in detail. The concept of carbonyl stress and its components is revealed, the role of carbonyl compounds in the body is described, the metabolic pathways leading to the formation of carbonyl reaction products are shown, the participation of free radicals in these metabolic pathways is noted. The mechanisms of pathogenesis associated with the development of carbonyl stress in obesity are discussed; the greatest contribution to the development of car bonyl pathology in obesity is made by two types of processes: lipid peroxidation reactions resulting in the formation of carbonyl products of lipoperoxidation and the processes activated by hyperglycemia (glycolysis, polyol and hexоzamine pathways) leading to the formation of glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and active carbonyl forms of glucose. The question of the contribution of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOРР) to the development of carbonyl pathology in obesity remains controversial. It is assumed that AGEs and AOРР levels depend on the severity of obesity and the development of metabolic syndrome.