Several epidemiological studies show that obesity is a major primary health problem and an independent risk factor for type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. Increasing evidence indicates that altered secretion of adipocytokines such as adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and free fatty acids are contributing factors to insulin resistance in obese states. Especially, visceral obesity is strongly associated with insulin resistance rather than subcutaneous adipose tissue. Body weight reduction by lifestyle intervention is reported to reduce the risk for developing type II diabetes.