**2. Imbalance of adipokines, cytokines, and incretins as a pathogenetic risk factor for reduced exercise tolerance**

The progressive increase in obesity prevalence during the second half of the last century has put adipose tissue at the center of scientific interest. It is now seen not only as a passive reservoir for the accumulation of energy reserves but as a metabolically active endocrine organ that secretes hormones and cytokines. Adipose tissue cytokines and adipokines are involved in the regulation of many vital processes, the imbalance of which results in the development of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular complications. Many studies confirm that the presence of metabolic syndrome or any of its components correlates with the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines [3].

Our studies showed a significant increase in IL-6 (interleukin 6), TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor alpha), and OPG (osteoprotegerin) in subjects with overweight and obesity irrespective of the presence of carbohydrate metabolism disorders confirming the significant role of overweight and obesity in the development of nonspecific inflammation, one of the main pathogenetic risk factors for metabolic disorders development (**Table 1**). We wanted to pay special attention to a new cytokine identified in obese people.

*Personalized Strategy of Obesity Prevention and Management Based on the Analysis… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.105094*

