The Impact of Obesity on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Subclinical Vascular Disease

Abstract

The United States and many other countries are experiencing an epidemic of obesity. From 1960 to 2000, the percentage of the US population categorized as obese increased from 11% to 28% in men and 16% to 34% in women, with higher rates observed in certain racial and ethnic groups.^1,2 A number of studies have documented the association between obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors,^3-5 and some, but not all, with markers of subclinical CVD.^6-9 The obesity epidemic has the potential to reduce further gains in the US life expectancy,¹⁰ largely through an effect on CVD mortality.¹¹