Introduction
Definition of obesityFaulty eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, poor sleeping pattern and stress make most of us unusually overweight. World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity is an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that may impair health. Obesity is measured as a body mass index (BMI), a measure of body weight in relation to height.Clinically BMI 25-29kg/m² is term as overweight while ≥ 30 kg/m² is consider as obesity.
Definition of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases
According to the American Heart Association, heart diseases such as heart attack or stroke are result of blockage of blood vessels due to formation of atherosclerotic plaque in the wall of the arteries. Atherosclerotic plaque is accumulation of fatty plaque inside the major arteries, which narrows them and diminishes blood supply to the heart resulting in a spectrum of heart diseases.
Metabolic syndrome
The National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III report identified abdominal obesity, atherosclerotic dyslipidemia, raised blood pressure, insulin resistance, proinflammatory state and prothrombotic state as six components of metabolic syndrome. All of them favours the formation of atherosclerotic fatty plaque inside the blood vessels and subsequently risks for cardiovascular diseases.
Obesity and cardiovascular diseases a link
Obesity is major concern for a risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases reported on The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism under obesity special feature.When obesity is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus,
significantly raises risk for heart diseases.Additionally, an existence of metabolic syndrome with waist
circumference ≥102cm in men and ≥ 88 cm in women, serum triglyceride ≥50 mg/dl,raised blood-glucose≥100 mg/dl,high high blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg and low HDL or good cholesterol level <40 mg/dl in men and < 50mg/dl in women risk for heart diseases. All of them risk for formation of fatty plaque inside blood vessels and subsequent blockage leading heart diseases.
Dealing with obesity
WHO suggest lifestyle changes such as eating healthy food, and staying active are good ways to manage obesity problem.
Conclusion
Obesity is a risk factor for many health risks, including cardiovascular diseases .Existence of obesity with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome raise risk for heart diseases. However, obesity can be controlled with some lifestyle modifications. Obesity is one of the preventable risk factor for various health issues.