An older medical term for obesity, describing the condition of carrying excessive body fat. The word derives from the Greek lipos, meaning fat, reflecting the long medical recognition of excess adiposity as a health concern. Modern medicine defines obesity precisely using body mass index thresholds and waist measurements, linking it to increased risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and joint problems. While the terminology has moved on, with liparia surviving only in historical texts, the underlying condition has grown into one of the world’s leading public-health challenges. Contemporary approaches emphasise prevention through diet, activity, and supportive environments.