Open AccessThe Obesity Epidemic: Pathophysiology and Consequences of Obesity
Author(s) -
PiSunyer F. Xavier
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
obesity research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1550-8528
pISSN - 1071-7323
DOI - 10.1038/oby.2002.202
Subject(s) - medicine , obesity , hyperinsulinemia , body mass index , dyslipidemia , abdominal obesity , overweight , insulin resistance , diabetes mellitus , disease , type 2 diabetes , endocrinology , metabolic syndrome
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States: more than 20% of adults are clinically obese as defined by a body mass index of 30 kg/m 2 or higher, and an additional 30% are overweight. Environmental, behavioral, and genetic factors have been shown to contribute to the development of obesity. Elevated body mass index, particularly caused by abdominal or upper‐body obesity, has been associated with a number of diseases and metabolic abnormalities, many of which have high morbidity and mortality. These include hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, gallbladder disease, and certain malignancies. This underscores the importance of identifying people at risk for obesity and its related disease states.