Apple boss Steve Jobs has written an open letter outlining his health problems as well as explaining his reasons for not delivering the keynote address at the Macworld conference.

The health of the chief executive of the company has been the subject of much speculation in recent years; in August 2008 the Bloomberg news agency even accidentally published an obituary of the Apple founder.

The speculation, which has led to fluctuation in Apple's share prices, increased late last year when it was revealed that he would not attend the Macworld event.

In the letter Jobs writes: "As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors.

"A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my number one priority," the letter continues.

Jobs goes on to explain that doctors think his weight loss is due to a hormone imbalance "that has been 'robbing' me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy".

He said he will continue as Apple's chief executive throughout his treatment which will continue into the spring.

The Macworld keynote presentations have attained huge media as well as general interest; in the past Mac fans have been treated to first glimpses of products such as the iPhone, the iPod and the Macbook Air among others.

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