The modern way of life is characterized by reduced physical activity, sedentary jobs and the intake of quickly available, calorie-rich food that is rich in fats and carbohydrates. This is the reason why the world population is facing an epidemic of obesity among children and adults. According to data from the World Health Organization, in 2016, 340 million children aged 5-19 and 51% of people over 18 were overweight or obese.(1) It is well known that obesity is the main and preventable cause of numerous chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic disorders, malignant diseases, depression and inflammatory rheumatic diseases (2). Despite the high global burden of musculoskeletal diseases, it is often forgotten how obesity is also an important risk and etiological factor in the pathophysiology of these diseases. Excessive body mass, characterized by a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m*(1), triggers systemic, chronic low-intensity inflammation in the body and represents a significant mechanical overload for the musculoskeletal system. White adipose tissue secretes, among other adipokines, pro-inflammatory molecules such as IL-6, TNF-a and leptin, which promote the destruction of joint cartilage and thus contribute to conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, they have an adverse effect on bone strength and the success of therapy for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Excess body mass represents a mechanical load for the articular cartilages, and when it exceeds the intrinsic biological ability of the cartilage to bear these loads, degenerative changes develop and they eventually affect all joint structures, bone and surrounding muscles and lead to disability. All of the above makes obesity a serious, global, public health problem that requires preventive action and active treatment.