Link between obesity and cardiovascular disease: A review

Pages: 659-661
Simmi Saini and Vipin Gupta (Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, Delhi)

Obesity has become an important global health issue. Over the last few decades, the increasing burden of obesity has resulted in ever increasing prevalence of metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Both insulin resistance and inflammation play an important role in linking obesity with cardiovascular disease (CVD). In obese people, adipose tissue undergoes substantial remodeling including hypertrophy, possibly hampering the normal physiological functions. These hypertrophic adipocytes produce an increase amount of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), hormones and inflammatory cytokines that are strongly involved in the pathogenesis of CVD. Early diagnosis and lifestyle modifications including weight loss, healthy diet intake and increased physical activity could of great importance in management and prevention of these disorders.