Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders

Obesity is a chronic multisystem disease that is highly prevalent due to its adverse health implications and linked to a lower life expectancy. Body weight and central fat distribution parameters are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction heart failure atrial fibrillation stroke obstructive sleep apnea osteoarthritis mental disorders and certain types of cancer according to epidemiological data. Increased fat mass however does not fully account for an individual's risk of developing cardiometabolic and other obesity-related diseases. The mechanistic connection between obesity and poor health outcomes may be related to dysfunction of adipose tissue rather than excess fat accumulation. Certain individuals who are obese appear to be immune to the early onset of cardiometabolic disorders. However adipose tissue malfunction and mostly visceral fat distribution can cause normal weight individuals to acquire common obesity illnesses.