Association of Physical Activity and Body Mass Index With Novel and Traditional Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Women

Abstract

Physical inactivity and overweight/obesity are major public health epidemics.¹ More than half of the US population does not meet recommended levels of physical activity, while 65% are overweight or obese, with women being more at risk than men.^1,2 Overweight and obesity continue to substantially increase in the United States and worldwide, affecting women and men of all ages and ethnic groups.^1,3,4 Both increased body weight and low levels of physical activity have been shown consistently to be powerful predictors of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and all-cause mortality.^5-10 Both are also associated with increased prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and they often occur together. This has led to some controversy over the relative contributions of each to cardiovascular risk.¹¹