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

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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