No abstract available.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity/*etiology

Obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent and thus has been a global public concern. Studies have demonstrated that obesity and its complications can cause an early onset of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), reduce the therapeutic efficacy of medical and invasive treatment, and thus increase the mortality. Meanwhile, it can also cause damage to the structure, electrophysiology, and myocardial function of heart. It can be a particularly important issue for women. On the other hand, heart injury can also affect the weight loss options and their outcomes. This article elucidates the relationship between obesity and its complications and CVD, and meanwhile proposes some new perspectives about the prevention of CVD.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Humans ; Obesity ; complications

Obesity, with an increasing prevalence,has become one of the most common metabolic diseases. Obesity is associated with many respiratory diseases, especially sleep-related breathing disorders including obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, and overlap syndrome. This article reviews the association between obesity and these sleep-related breathing disorders.
Humans ; Obesity ; complications ; Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome ; etiology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; etiology

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of this paper is to review the cardiovascular (CVS) risks associated with obesity in children and adolescents. Both short-term and long-term CVS consequences, the mechanisms of how these develop and the measures that can alter or reverse these CVS events are reviewed.

MATERIALS AND METHODSSelected publications include original articles and review papers that report on studies of CVS risks and consequences related to childhood obesity. Some papers that contain data from adults studies are also included if the contents help to explain some underlying mechanisms or illustrate the continuation of related CVS changes into adulthood.

RESULTSObese children and adolescents have an increased risk for CVS complications that include elevation of blood pressure, clustering of CVS risk factors (Metabolic Syndrome), changes to arterial wall thickness, elasticity and endothelium, as well as changes in left ventricular structure and function. Some of these cardiovascular problems may be initiated or potentiated by obstructive sleep apnoea that can accompany obesity in children. Many of such changes have been noted to reverse or improve with weight reduction.

CONCLUSIONSEarly development of CVS risks in obese children and the possible continuation of CVS complications into adulthood have been observed. Obstructive sleep apnoea in obese children can further contribute to such CVS risks. These findings underscore the importance of prevention of childhood obesity as a priority over management of obesity in children.

Adolescent ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Child ; Humans ; Obesity ; complications ; Risk Factors

In the viewpoint of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the authors consider that simple obesity is not a disease, which does not fit to be treated according to the models of diagnosis and treatment in TCM. Considering its cause, pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation, principles and methods of treatment, as well as experimental study, etc. , the authors point out that the true effects of acupuncture on weight-loss should be investigated alone and avoid the influence of diet and exercise. Until now, what we have done on the acupuncture for treatment of simple obesity is not sufficient to verify the direct effects of acupuncture for weight-loss. The correct way for weight-loss is health care including dietary regime and regular life schedule. Comparatively, the treatment as the main choice for weight-loss is not recommended.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Humans ; Obesity ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Weight Loss

Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Obesity ; etiology ; prevention & control

Chronic Disease ; Diarrhea/etiology* ; Humans ; Obesity/complications* ; Syndrome

INTRODUCTIONTo review the definitions of the metabolic syndrome according to various expert groups and assess their relevance to clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODSMedline searches were conducted to identify studies which addressed: (i) the utility of the metabolic syndrome compared to multivariable predictive functions for the identification of individuals at high risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), (ii) the importance and definition of obesity in the definition of the metabolic syndrome and (iii) the impact of lifestyle and pharmacological interventions designed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in those with and without the metabolic syndrome.

RESULTSAlthough inferior to multivariable risk scores in predicting T2DM and CVD, the metabolic syndrome represents a simple clinical tool, particularly for the prediction of T2DM. Obesity is not a critical component of the metabolic syndrome for identifying those at increased risk of CVD but may be important for predicting T2DM. If anything, pharmacological therapy, especially lipid lowering is as, if not more, effective in those with the metabolic syndrome than in those without.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough the metabolic syndrome appears to have limited utility for the identification of individuals at increased risk of T2DM or CVD, the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome presents an opportunity to rationalise health services to deliver coordinated care to those with metabolic syndrome.

Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; etiology ; Humans ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; Obesity ; complications

Child ; Diabetes Mellitus ; etiology ; Diet ; Humans ; Hypertension ; etiology ; Lipids ; blood ; Obesity ; complications ; prevention & control ; psychology

Fatty Liver ; etiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Obesity ; complications ; pathology ; therapy ; Risk Factors