THE GLOBAL PROBLEM: OBESITY AND DYSLIPIDEMIA

Abstract

Obesity is an excessive accumulation of energy in the form of body fat which impairs health. The main cause of obesity epidemic is clear: overeating, especially that of foods, which are rich in fats, extracted sugars or refined starches. This links to a progressive decline in physical activity results in an imbalance of intake and expenditure of calories, resulting in excess weight and eventually obesity. Co-morbidities commonly associated with obesity include diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, dyslipidemia, degenerative joint disease, stress incontinence and some form of tumors and other various diseases. Dyslipidemia is a widely accepted risk factor for coronary artery disease and is an important feature of metabolic syndrome. Obesity especially visceral obesity causes insulin resistance and is associated with dyslipidemia, impaired glucose metabolism, and hypertension all of which exacerbate atherosclerosis. The primary dyslipidemia related to obesity is characterized by increased triglycerides, decreased high density lipoprotein levels and abnormal low density lipoprotein composition. Weight loss and exercise can improve this dyslipidemia and thus reduce cardiovascular risk. In addition, obese individuals needed to be targeted for intense lipid lowering therapy, when necessary.