Cupertino (CA) – In a rather unusual move, Steve Jobs and Apple’s board of directors reacted to the rumors surrounding Jobs’ health. In an open letter to the Apple Community, Jobs stated that his weight loss in fact has been a concern and that doctors determined that a “hormone imbalance” is the “root cause” of the problem.

Apple and Steve Jobs the CEO decided to put an end to speculations and inform investors, fans and the  general public why the executive will not be giving keynote at the final Macworld. In a short "Letter from Apple CEO Steve Jobs" he writes that he intends to spend the holiday season with his family rather than “intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote”, adding that will be the case "the first time in a decade."

The personal message was prompted by “a flurry of rumors” about his health with some media "publishing stories of me on my deathbed".

Jobs dedicated most of his words to address his health, the topic that has been keeping investors worried since his gaunt appearance at Apple's developer conference in June 2007. Jobs wrote that his apparent weight loss remained a mystery to his doctors until "sophisticated blood tests" showed that a hormone imbalance has been "robbing him of the proteins his body needs to be healthy.” This imbalance apparently caused the weight loss.

"The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I've already begun treatment," Jobs wrote. "But, just like I didn't lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will take me until late this Spring to regain it."

Careful reading of the letter also reveals that it was the CEO, not the board of directors, who decided to hand the Macworld keynote marketing chief Phil Schiller.

Jobs added that he will continue his CEO role during recovery, reassuring investors who have been concerned that Apple is not open enough about Jobs health condition. "I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now," he wrote. "I will be the first one to step up and tell our Board of Directors if I can no longer continue to fulfill my duties as Apple's CEO."

Apple's board of directors backed Jobs' letter with their own separate statement. "If there ever comes a day when Steve wants to retire or for other reasons cannot continue to fulfill his duties as Apple's CEO, you will know it," the board wrote. Full statement by Apple's board of directors is available here.

The open letter will certainly help to provide more clarity about Jobs’ situation and indicate that he has no intent of retiring, at least for now.