**Obesity and Heart Diseases, a Worsened Epidemic in Recent Decades**

Jian-Lin Wu and Chi-Wen Juan

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/61044

#### **Abstract**

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[46] Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaboration Collaborative overview of randomised trials of antiplatelet therapy—I: prevention of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke by prolonged antiplatelet therapy in various categories of patients. BMJ. 1994;308:81–

[47] Antithrombotic Trialists' Collaboration Collaborative meta-analysis of randomised trials of antiplatelet therapy for prevention of death, myocardial infarction, and

[48] Baigent C, Blackwell L, Collins R, et al. Aspirin in the primary and secondary pre‐ vention of vascular disease: collaborative meta-analysis of individual participant da‐

[49] Pignone M, Alberts MJ, Colwell JA, et al. Aspirin for primary prevention of cardio‐ vascular events in people with diabetes. J Am CollCardiol. 2010;55(25):2878–86. [50] Xie M, Shan Z, Zhang Y, et al. Aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and subgroup analysis by sex

stroke in high risk patients. BMJ. 2002;324:71–86.

and diabetes status. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(10):e90286.

ta from randomised trials. Lancet. 2009;373(9678):1849–60.

2013;346:f2610

260 Coronary Artery Disease - Assessment, Surgery, Prevention

106.

Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic diseases. Obesity induces serious heart diseases such as hypertension, heart failure, and coronary disease by multiple mechanisms. The endothelial dysfunction and artherosclerosis induced by obesity lead to the result of coronary artery disease. In addition, obesity is a substantial public health crisis worldwide, and internationally, with the prevalence increasing rapidly in numerous industrialized nations. Worldwide, 39% of adults aged 18 years and over were overweight in 2014, and 13% were obese. The first choice of treatment is weight loss by life-style modification, such as diet and exercise. Medication and surgery are for moderate obese patients with comorbidity. How to find the appropri‐ ate method of weight losing is the most important issue.

**Keywords:** obesity, definition, coronary artery diseases, treatment, weight loss

#### **1. Introduction**

Obesity has become one of the most important public health issues due to the increased prevalence of the comorbidities associated with obesity. Recommendations, guidelines, and consensus statements for the definition and classification of obese children, adolescents, and adults have been published by many famous journal in these decades. Generally speaking, obesity is not only a major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases which mentioned above, but also a chronic disease that is increasing in prevalence in adults, adolescents, and children, and is now considered to be a global epidemic.

© 2015 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. People travel on transportation, rather than walking, and so many people work in offices, where they are sitting still for most of the day. A sedentary lifestyle lowers calories expenditure. Eating excess calories with less consumption promotes weight gain. Of all sedentary behaviors, long-time TV watching appears to be the most predictive of obesity risk. In the Nurses' Health Study, after adjustment for age, smoking, exercise level, and dietary factors, every 2-hour increment spent watching TV was associated with a 23% (95% CI 17-30 %) increase in obesity[1].

#### **2. Definition and classification**

**•** Overweight and obesity refer to a weight above the "normal" range.

We use body mass index (BMI)[BMI = body weight (in kg) ÷ height squared, in meters], which is currently used as the most accurate and reliable way of measuring how overweight an adult(18 years and older) is. For most people, an ideal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9kg/m2 . The classification is as follows:

	- **◦** Obesity class I—BMI of 30.0–34.9 kg/m<sup>2</sup> .
	- **◦** Obesity class II—BMI of 35.0–39.9 kg/m<sup>2</sup> .
	- **◦** Obesity class III—BMI ≥40 kg/m2 . This type of obesity is also referred to as severe, extreme, or massive obesity.

Unfortunately, a strung healthy fitness instructor may be mistaken for an obese adult if we only use BMI to screen overweight and obesity. Because BMI cannot well describe the central fat accumulation in the abdomen, we use waist circumference as another measurement of obesity, especially abdominal obesity, and it provides risk information that is not accounted by BMI.A waist circumference of ≥40inches (102 cm, 90cm for Asian) for men and ≥35inches (88 cm, 80cm for Asian) for women is considered elevated and indicative of increased cardio‐ vascular and metabolic disease risk [2].

Screening measures by BMI with waist circumference can identify adults at increased risk for morbidity and mortality, particularly in the BMI range 25–35 kg/m<sup>2</sup> [3].

For children, the different normal ranges of BMI are classified by age [4, 5]. A growing consensus supports the following definitions for children between 2 and 18 years of age

**•** Underweight—BMI <5th percentile for age and sex


#### **3. Prevalence**

**•** Adults

. The

The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. People travel on transportation, rather than walking, and so many people work in offices, where they are sitting still for most of the day. A sedentary lifestyle lowers calories expenditure. Eating excess calories with less consumption promotes weight gain. Of all sedentary behaviors, long-time TV watching appears to be the most predictive of obesity risk. In the Nurses' Health Study, after adjustment for age, smoking, exercise level, and dietary factors, every 2-hour increment spent watching TV was associated

We use body mass index (BMI)[BMI = body weight (in kg) ÷ height squared, in meters], which is currently used as the most accurate and reliable way of measuring how overweight an adult(18 years and older) is. For most people, an ideal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9kg/m2

with a 23% (95% CI 17-30 %) increase in obesity[1].

**•** Overweight and obesity refer to a weight above the "normal" range.

.

.

.

.

Unfortunately, a strung healthy fitness instructor may be mistaken for an obese adult if we only use BMI to screen overweight and obesity. Because BMI cannot well describe the central fat accumulation in the abdomen, we use waist circumference as another measurement of obesity, especially abdominal obesity, and it provides risk information that is not accounted by BMI.A waist circumference of ≥40inches (102 cm, 90cm for Asian) for men and ≥35inches (88 cm, 80cm for Asian) for women is considered elevated and indicative of increased cardio‐

Screening measures by BMI with waist circumference can identify adults at increased risk for

For children, the different normal ranges of BMI are classified by age [4, 5]. A growing consensus supports the following definitions for children between 2 and 18 years of age

morbidity and mortality, particularly in the BMI range 25–35 kg/m<sup>2</sup>

**•** Underweight—BMI <5th percentile for age and sex

. This type of obesity is also referred to as severe, extreme,

[3].

.

**2. Definition and classification**

262 Coronary Artery Disease - Assessment, Surgery, Prevention

classification is as follows:

**•** Obesity—BMI ≥30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>

or massive obesity.

**•** Underweight—BMI <18.5 kg/m2

**•** Normal weight—BMI ≥18.5–24.9 kg/m<sup>2</sup>

.

**◦** Obesity class I—BMI of 30.0–34.9 kg/m<sup>2</sup>

**◦** Obesity class II—BMI of 35.0–39.9 kg/m<sup>2</sup>

**•** Overweight—BMI ≥25.0–29.9 kg/m<sup>2</sup>

**◦** Obesity class III—BMI ≥40 kg/m2

vascular and metabolic disease risk [2].

Based on data collected for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2011 and 2012, the measured prevalence of obesity in adults in the United States is 34.9% [11]. The age-adjusted prevalence of class III obesity (BMI ≥40), sometimes referred to as severe obesity, was 6.3% in 2009–2010 [12].Worldwide, 36.9% of men and 38% of women estimated to have a BMI ≥25 kg/m<sup>2</sup> [13,14]. In 2013, reported prevalence rates of obesity (BMI of ≥30 kg/m2) included 20% of men and 21.7% of women in Belgium, 25% of men and women in the United Kingdom, 21% of men and 33% of women in Mexico, and 13.5% of men and 42% of women in South Africa [13,15].

**•** Children

Worldwide, 42 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight or obese in 2013.In the United States, the percentage of age of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of age of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21% over the same period [16, 17].For example, Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.

By reported data, the worldwide prevalence of obesity more than doubled between 1980 and 2014.Before, obesity was considered a high-income country problem due to stereotype about the relationship between money, the increased intake of energy-dense foods, and increase in physical inactivity. In fact, overweight and obesity are now on the rise in low- and middleincome countries, particularly in urban settings. In developing countries, the rate of increase of childhood overweight and obesity has been more than 30% higher than that of developed countries.

Changes in dietary and physical activity patterns are often the result of environmental and technical changes associated with economic development and lack of supportive policies in sectors such as health, urban planning, food processing, distribution, marketing, and education.

#### **4. Pathogenesis and its related coronary artery disease**

Obesity has many causes, each of which has a variable genetic component. At one extreme are the kinds of obesity caused by single-gene mutations. At the other extreme are the kinds of obesity caused by various diseases in subjects in whom obesity would otherwise not occur. The followings focus on obesity caused by single-gene defects, the genetic susceptibility to obesity, and the pathogenetic mechanisms that operate within this genetic framework to cause differences in total body fat content and in regional fat distribution.

#### **Genetic disorders of obesity**

**•** Prader–Willi syndrome

The Prader–Willi syndrome is a neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by genetic abnor‐ malities of the long (q) arm of chromosome 15 (15q11-q13).Affected infants have poor muscle tone and feed poorly at birth. Later their appetite becomes voracious and they become obese, have behavior problems (irritability, tantrums), delayed development, short stature, and, later, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

**•** Bardet–Biedl syndrome

The Bardet–Biedl syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by obesity and several other abnormalities, including microorchidism in men, intellectual disability (mental retardation), retinal dystrophy, polydactyly, renal malformations (particularly calyceal abnormalities), and polyuria and polydipsia[18]. The primary cilia dysfunction is considered as a key defect in this syndrome [19].

#### **Genetic models of obesity**

**•** Leptin gene

The Lep gene codes for a protein called leptin [20]. Leptin-deficient mice have hyperphagia, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and infertility. In human, leptin is produced in fat cells and to a lesser degree in the gut [20]. It acts on leptin receptors (LEPRs), which are widely distributed and account for its pleiotropic effects on energy homeostasis, neuroendocrine function, and immune function [21].Food intake is reduced by systemic leptin administration in normal-weight experimental animals, but the response decreases as the animals become obese. The resistance to the action of leptin has been related to blunting the negative feedback signal to brain to reduce energy intake.

**•** Leptin receptor gene

The Leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency has a relationship with human obesity. In a study, 3% with severe, early-onset obesity had nonsense or missense LEPR mutations. Normal linear growth, but reduced adult height as adults and increased serum leptin concentrations were also observed [22, 23].

#### **•** Agouti gene

**4. Pathogenesis and its related coronary artery disease**

differences in total body fat content and in regional fat distribution.

**Genetic disorders of obesity**

264 Coronary Artery Disease - Assessment, Surgery, Prevention

hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

as a key defect in this syndrome [19].

signal to brain to reduce energy intake.

**•** Leptin receptor gene

also observed [22, 23].

**•** Prader–Willi syndrome

**•** Bardet–Biedl syndrome

**Genetic models of obesity**

**•** Leptin gene

Obesity has many causes, each of which has a variable genetic component. At one extreme are the kinds of obesity caused by single-gene mutations. At the other extreme are the kinds of obesity caused by various diseases in subjects in whom obesity would otherwise not occur. The followings focus on obesity caused by single-gene defects, the genetic susceptibility to obesity, and the pathogenetic mechanisms that operate within this genetic framework to cause

The Prader–Willi syndrome is a neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by genetic abnor‐ malities of the long (q) arm of chromosome 15 (15q11-q13).Affected infants have poor muscle tone and feed poorly at birth. Later their appetite becomes voracious and they become obese, have behavior problems (irritability, tantrums), delayed development, short stature, and, later,

The Bardet–Biedl syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by obesity and several other abnormalities, including microorchidism in men, intellectual disability (mental retardation), retinal dystrophy, polydactyly, renal malformations (particularly calyceal abnormalities), and polyuria and polydipsia[18]. The primary cilia dysfunction is considered

The Lep gene codes for a protein called leptin [20]. Leptin-deficient mice have hyperphagia, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and infertility. In human, leptin is produced in fat cells and to a lesser degree in the gut [20]. It acts on leptin receptors (LEPRs), which are widely distributed and account for its pleiotropic effects on energy homeostasis, neuroendocrine function, and immune function [21].Food intake is reduced by systemic leptin administration in normal-weight experimental animals, but the response decreases as the animals become obese. The resistance to the action of leptin has been related to blunting the negative feedback

The Leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency has a relationship with human obesity. In a study, 3% with severe, early-onset obesity had nonsense or missense LEPR mutations. Normal linear growth, but reduced adult height as adults and increased serum leptin concentrations were The Agouti gene defect causes the Agouti-signaling protein overexpressed in many tissues. The Agouti protein competes with melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) for a melanocor‐ tin-4 receptor in the hypothalamus that modulates food intake. MSH inhibits food intake. Food over-intake results from the blockage of MSH pathway by the agouti protein [24].

Other factors associated with the development of obesity, such as body fact distribution, diet, lifestyle, drugs, and endocrine disorders, have promote the dysregulation of fat and glucose metabolism. Now scientists understand that fat, especially intra-abdominal fat, has significant impact on blood pressure and blood lipid levels and interferes with the ability to use insulin effectively.

#### **Obesity and coronary artery disease**

In the past two decades, the growing development in vascular biology has been elucidating the nature of atherosclerotic lesions: they correspond to a series of cellular and molecular inflammatory responses [25, 26].

The coronary endothelial dysfunction is considered an early stage of the coronary arterioscle‐ rosis. Arteriosclerosis develops through the influence of stress conditions to the endothelium, such as obesity, aging, systemic arterial high blood pressure,hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and tobacco addiction. These factors damage the endothelium and induce an inflammatory reaction on the vascular wall. Such reaction increases the secretion of primary proinflamma‐ tory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) [27, 28].

In fact, adipose tissue is considered not only a deposition of triacylglycerol and free fatty acids but also an important endocrine and paracrine organ, which produces several proinflamma‐ tory substances [29]. An excess of adipose tissue indicates that obesity is being regarded as a source of proinflammatory mediators that contribute to vascular injury, insulin resistance, and atherogenesis. The adipokines, which play an important role of endothelium dysfunction and arteriosclerosis, include C-reactive protein (CRP), TNF-α, angiotensinogen, resistin, leptin, IL-6, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1).

#### **Main inflammatory markers in obesity**


#### **5. Obesity and its related heart disease**

Obesity increases total blood volume and cardiac output, and cardiac workload is greater in obesity. Typically, obese patients have a higher cardiac output but a lower level of total peripheral resistance at any given level of arterial pressure. With increased filling pressure and volume, overweight and obese individuals often develop left ventricular (LV) chamber dilation and the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy also increases [41]. In addition to LV structural abnormalities, obesity also leads to left atrial enlargement, both from increased circulating blood volume as well as abnormal LV diastolic filling [42]. These abnormalities not only increase the risk of heart failure, but may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation.

**•** Obesity and hypertension

**•** TNF-α: High amounts of secretion of inflammatory cytokine produced by obese individuals and by insulin-resistant patients not only give rise, but spread the formation of atheroscler‐ otic lesion. The TNF-α participates in the acceleration of atherogenesis by inducing the expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, MCP-1, and E-selectin. It also reduces the bioavailability of nitric oxide in endothelial cells and impairs endothelium-dependant vasodilation, promoting the endothelial dysfunction. Besides this, it causes apoptosis in endothelial cells,

**•** Resistin: It is a hormone specific of the adipose tissue recently discovered, which directly induces the insulin resistance in muscles and liver. The resistin induces the expression of messenger RNA producer of endothelin-1 in endothelial cells, thus contributing to endo‐ thelial dysfunction. It also significantly increases the expression of the cellular adhesion molecule VCAM-1 and the MCP-1, hey factors in formation of early atherosclerotic lesion [34]. It was recently demonstrated the proinflammatory action of resistin in smooth muscle cells: it induces the proliferation of such cells, suggesting the action of these hormones is

**•** Angiotensinogen: It is a precursor of angiotensin II, expressed and produced in adipocytes. The angiotensin II directly stimulates the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1, and M-CSF in vascular cells. The increased production of angiotensinogen by the adipose tissue is associated with high blood pressure and angiogenesis, both related to endothelial dysfunc‐ tion. Similarly, the angiotensin II acts in the formation of oxygen-derived free radicals, decreasing the availability of nitric oxide and causing damages to the vascular tissue [36]. **•** Adiponectin: Opposed to what happens to other adipokines already referred to, the levels of adiponectin are lower in obese patients, functioning as an inhibitor agent of the inflam‐ matory process [37]. Clinical and experimental studies suggest that low levels of adiponectin contribute for the development of diseases related to obesity, including cardiovascular diseases [38]. Levels of adiponectin in plasma generally range from 3 to30 μg/ml in healthy individuals. In obese individuals, these levels are significantly reduced, with negative correlation between BMI and adiponectin levels in plasma [39]. The reason for the reduction of the levels of adiponectin in obese individuals seem to be related with proinflammatory cytokines, such as the IL-6, which, due to the fact they increase in obese individuals, may cause a reduction in the expression of the messenger RNA producer of adiponectin and its release by adipocytes [40]. In vascular levels, actions of the adiponectin comprise reduction

Obesity increases total blood volume and cardiac output, and cardiac workload is greater in obesity. Typically, obese patients have a higher cardiac output but a lower level of total peripheral resistance at any given level of arterial pressure. With increased filling pressure and volume, overweight and obese individuals often develop left ventricular (LV) chamber dilation and the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy also increases [41]. In addition to LV

contributing for endothelial injury [33].

266 Coronary Artery Disease - Assessment, Surgery, Prevention

restenosis of coronary lesions in patients with diabetes [35].

in expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin.

**5. Obesity and its related heart disease**

A study [43] showed that activation of the sympathetic nervous system has been considered to have an important function in the pathogenesis of obesity-related hypertension. Plasma renin activity, angiotensinogen, angiotensin II, and aldosterone values display significant increase during obesity. Insulin resistance and inflammation may promote an altered profile of vascular function and consequently hypertension. Leptin and other neuropeptides are possible links between obesity and the development of hypertension.

The arterial pressure control mechanism of diuresis and natriuresis, according to the principle of infinite feedback gain, seems to be shifted toward higher blood pressure levels in obese individuals.

**•** Obesity and Heart failure

A study of 5,881 Framingham Heart Study participants [44] showed that during a 14-year follow-up, heart failure developed in 496 participants (258 women and 238 men). The crude cumulative incidence and the age-adjusted incidence rates of heart failure increased across categories of body mass index for both men and women. For every 1 kg/m2 increment in BMI, the risk of heart failure increased 5% in men and 7% in women. In fact, a graded increase in the risk of HF was observed across all categories of BMI.

The strength of the association, the stepwise increase in the risk of heart failure across increas‐ ing categories of body mass index, the demonstration of a temporal sequence (with increased body mass index preceding the development of heart failure), and the consistency of results in multiple analyses suggest a causal relation between increased body mass index and heart failure.

#### **Obesity and arrhythmias**

**•** Atrial fibrillation (Af)

The mechanisms linking atrial fibrillation and obesity include: structural and electrophysio‐ logical atrial remodeling, metabolic factors, sympathovagal imbalance, clinical links (obstruc‐ tive sleep apnea, cardiovascular comorbidities) and inflammation.

Based on a population-based cohort studies [45], obese individuals have an associated 49% increased risk of developing Af compared to non-obese individuals (relative risk 1.49, 95% confidence interval 1.36–1.64). The risk of atrial fibrillation increased in parallel with greater BMI in this cohort. Thus, Af evolves as yet another pathogenic factor by which obesity may increase cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. In contrast, in the postcardiac surgery studies, obese individuals do not have an associated increased risk of developing Af compared to non-obese individuals (relative risk 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.99–1.06) [45].

#### **•** Ventricular arrhythmias

The another commonly reported arrhythmias resulting from obesity is ventricular tachycardia. The main mechanisms leading to ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death in obese individuals include cardiomyopathy, metabolic factors, sympathetic hyperinnervation, obesity-induced electrophysiological remodeling, coronary heart disease as common comor‐ bidity and radical weight reduction strategies. Electrocardiographic monitoring, including P wave and QT interval duration, are extremely important in obese patients [46].

A positive association between corrected QT (QTc) interval and BMI has been noted, and prolonged QTc has predicted increased mortality even in apparently healthy populations. Although a relationship between QTc and increased obesity has been noted in many studies, this is most evident in the severely obese [47]. The presence of late potentials may be related to some of the pathological changes noted with cardiomyopathy of obesity, including myocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, and fat. Finally, obesity is associated with abnormalities in sympathovagal balance, leading to higher heart rate and reduced heart rate variability, known factors related with increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Overwhelming evidence supports the importance of obesity in the pathogenesis and progres‐ sion of heart diseases, with increased indexes of morbidity and mortality. If the obesity epidemic continues, human may soon witness an unfortunate end in life.

#### **6. Evaluation**

#### **Determine etiology**

Many factors contribute to obesity. However, most cases of obesity are related to factors such as a sedentary lifestyle and increased caloric intake [48].

To determine etiology, the medical history should include age at onset and duration of weight gain, any habit change and events associated with weight gain, previous weight loss attempts, change in dietary patterns, exercise, current and past medications, and history of smoking. Medications are a common cause of weight gain and obesity, in particular insulin, sulfony‐ lureas, thiazolidinediones, and antipsychotics agent.

Physical examination should focus on the possible secondary cause of obesity, including thyroid goiter (hypothyroidism), proximal muscle weakness, purple striae, osteoporosis (Cushing's syndrome), and acne/hirsutism. The related vital sign change (e.g., Blood pressure and heart rate) and testing (e.g., laboratory tests) to assess other metabolic diseases associated with obesity are also important to evaluate overweight and obese individuals.

#### **Assessment of risk**

To assess an individual's risk for subsequent mortality, the degree of overweight (BMI) and the presence of abdominal obesity (waist circumference), cardiovascular risk factors, comor‐ bidities, and other factors should be measured.

**•** Cardiovascular risk factors

**•** Ventricular arrhythmias

268 Coronary Artery Disease - Assessment, Surgery, Prevention

**6. Evaluation**

**Determine etiology**

**Assessment of risk**

The another commonly reported arrhythmias resulting from obesity is ventricular tachycardia. The main mechanisms leading to ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death in obese individuals include cardiomyopathy, metabolic factors, sympathetic hyperinnervation, obesity-induced electrophysiological remodeling, coronary heart disease as common comor‐ bidity and radical weight reduction strategies. Electrocardiographic monitoring, including P

A positive association between corrected QT (QTc) interval and BMI has been noted, and prolonged QTc has predicted increased mortality even in apparently healthy populations. Although a relationship between QTc and increased obesity has been noted in many studies, this is most evident in the severely obese [47]. The presence of late potentials may be related to some of the pathological changes noted with cardiomyopathy of obesity, including myocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, and fat. Finally, obesity is associated with abnormalities in sympathovagal balance, leading to higher heart rate and reduced heart rate variability, known factors

Overwhelming evidence supports the importance of obesity in the pathogenesis and progres‐ sion of heart diseases, with increased indexes of morbidity and mortality. If the obesity

Many factors contribute to obesity. However, most cases of obesity are related to factors such

To determine etiology, the medical history should include age at onset and duration of weight gain, any habit change and events associated with weight gain, previous weight loss attempts, change in dietary patterns, exercise, current and past medications, and history of smoking. Medications are a common cause of weight gain and obesity, in particular insulin, sulfony‐

Physical examination should focus on the possible secondary cause of obesity, including thyroid goiter (hypothyroidism), proximal muscle weakness, purple striae, osteoporosis (Cushing's syndrome), and acne/hirsutism. The related vital sign change (e.g., Blood pressure and heart rate) and testing (e.g., laboratory tests) to assess other metabolic diseases associated

To assess an individual's risk for subsequent mortality, the degree of overweight (BMI) and the presence of abdominal obesity (waist circumference), cardiovascular risk factors, comor‐

with obesity are also important to evaluate overweight and obese individuals.

wave and QT interval duration, are extremely important in obese patients [46].

related with increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD).

as a sedentary lifestyle and increased caloric intake [48].

lureas, thiazolidinediones, and antipsychotics agent.

bidities, and other factors should be measured.

epidemic continues, human may soon witness an unfortunate end in life.

Risk factors for CVD include high blood pressure (hypertension) and smoking, dysregulation of blood cholesterol (reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein [HDL] or elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein [LDL]), diabetes, sleep apnea, lack of exercise, family history of heart disease, and ethnic background. These risk factors should be managed independent of weight loss efforts.

	- **◦** Symptomatic osteoarthritis: The disease is associated with obesity that do not increase cardiovascular risk. The precise mechanism by which obesity leads to osteoarthritis remains unknown but is likely to be due to a combination of mechanical, humoral, and genetic factors. Weight loss has clear medical benefits for the obese patient and seems to be a logical way of relieving joint pain associated with degenerative arthritis [49].
	- **◦** Pregnancy: Women have more fat as a percent of body weight than men from puberty onward and tend to gain more fat during adult life than men. Being overweight increases the risk of complications for pregnant women and their babies. The higher a woman's BMI, the higher the risks. The increasing risks are in relation to: gestational diabetes and miscarriage, high blood pressure and preeclampsia, blood clots, and having a baby weighing more than 4 kg.
	- **◦** Age of onset: Children with a low birth weight and those whose weight rises more rapidly in the first 10 years are at high risk for diabetes as adults [50].

#### **7. Treatment**

The goal of treatment for obesity is to lose weight in order to improve your health, both physically and psychologically. For example, losing weight may help you to improve your self-esteem or help you to decrease the risk of coronary artery disease.

Types of treatment—Based on patient's measurements and medical history, doctor or nurse can determine what combination of weight loss treatments would work best. Treatments may include changes in lifestyle, exercise, dieting and, in some cases, weight loss medicines or weight loss surgery.

**•** Importance of weight loss

The importance of weight loss in obese subjects is that obesity is associated with many health risks, including hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, dyslipidemia, and diabetes.The higher the BMI and waist circumference, the greater the risk.

One study indicated that overweight/obese women with obesity-related illness, who lost weight intentionally within 1 year, had significantly reduced mortality rates of 19–25%. In contrast, studies of overweight/obese diabetics irrespective of gender showed significant benefit of intentional weight loss on mortality in a meta-analysis, hazard ratios = 0.75 (0.67– 0.83) [51].

**•** Treatment options

It is important to set goals when discussing a weight loss program with an individual patient. Many nervous patients have a weight loss goal of 40% or more below current weight, which is unrealistic. A realistic weight loss goal will make a better initial point. An initial weight loss goal of 5–7% of body weight is realistic for most individuals [52].A weight loss of more than 5% can reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus [53]. In trials comparing pharmacologic therapy with placebo, weight loss of 10–15% using both drug and behavioral intervention is considered a very good response, and weight loss exceeding 15% is considered an excellent response. Thus, the clinician and the patient need to come to a mutual understanding of the realities of weight loss.

Individuals with a BMI of 25–29.9 kg/m2 , who do not have risk factors for cardiovascular disease or other obesity related comorbidities, may be described as having low risk. They should receive counseling on prevention of weight gain. Individuals with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2 and with one or more risk factors for CVD (diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia), or with a BMI of 30–34.9 kg/m2 , are at moderate risk. They should be counseled about weight loss interventions.

	- **◦** Changes in lifestyle: lifestyle modification is the most essential and gentle method of body weight loss. It is also physician's first choice. A comprehensive lifestyle intervention (combined diet, exercise, and behavioral treatment) is the most important strategy for weight management. The behavioral component facilitates adherence to diet and exercise regimens. It includes regular self-monitoring of food intake, physical activity, and body weight. Some behavioral components were used to help achieve these weight loss goals, including behavioral self-management training, individual case managers, group and/or individual sessions, individualized adherence strategies, and a network of training, feedback, and clinical support [54].
	- **◦** Exercise and dietary therapy: Exercise and dietary therapy remain essential to the treatment of obesity, even for patients who choose medications or surgery. In most studies, exercise modestly improves weight loss and show an association between higher levels of physical activity and lower rates of many chronic diseases, such as obesity [55]. The multicomponent exercise program should be designed to prevent the possibility of exercise injury and to fit individuals, who can receive a pre-exercise evaluation by physicians. A well-designed exercise program should include balanced training and flexibility, and aerobic exercise and high-intensity resistance training may be effective. The duration and the energy expenditure goal should also fit individuals.

The goal of dietary therapy is to reduce the calories consumed. Balanced low-calorie diets/ portion-controlled diets with low-fat diets and low-carbohydrate diets are the components of the commonly used dietary therapy to reach the goal of calories restriction. However, the overor rapid decrease of calories may lead to side effects such as mentioned below.

#### **Weight loss medicines or weight loss surgery**

benefit of intentional weight loss on mortality in a meta-analysis, hazard ratios = 0.75 (0.67–

It is important to set goals when discussing a weight loss program with an individual patient. Many nervous patients have a weight loss goal of 40% or more below current weight, which is unrealistic. A realistic weight loss goal will make a better initial point. An initial weight loss goal of 5–7% of body weight is realistic for most individuals [52].A weight loss of more than 5% can reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus [53]. In trials comparing pharmacologic therapy with placebo, weight loss of 10–15% using both drug and behavioral intervention is considered a very good response, and weight loss exceeding 15% is considered an excellent response. Thus, the clinician and the

disease or other obesity related comorbidities, may be described as having low risk. They should receive counseling on prevention of weight gain. Individuals with a BMI between 25

**◦** Changes in lifestyle: lifestyle modification is the most essential and gentle method of body weight loss. It is also physician's first choice. A comprehensive lifestyle intervention (combined diet, exercise, and behavioral treatment) is the most important strategy for weight management. The behavioral component facilitates adherence to diet and exercise regimens. It includes regular self-monitoring of food intake, physical activity, and body weight. Some behavioral components were used to help achieve these weight loss goals, including behavioral self-management training, individual case managers, group and/or individual sessions, individualized adherence strategies, and a network of training,

**◦** Exercise and dietary therapy: Exercise and dietary therapy remain essential to the treatment of obesity, even for patients who choose medications or surgery. In most studies, exercise modestly improves weight loss and show an association between higher levels of physical activity and lower rates of many chronic diseases, such as obesity [55]. The multicomponent exercise program should be designed to prevent the possibility of exercise injury and to fit individuals, who can receive a pre-exercise evaluation by physicians. A well-designed exercise program should include balanced training and flexibility, and aerobic exercise and high-intensity resistance training may be effective.

The duration and the energy expenditure goal should also fit individuals.

or rapid decrease of calories may lead to side effects such as mentioned below.

The goal of dietary therapy is to reduce the calories consumed. Balanced low-calorie diets/ portion-controlled diets with low-fat diets and low-carbohydrate diets are the components of the commonly used dietary therapy to reach the goal of calories restriction. However, the over-

and with one or more risk factors for CVD (diabetes, hypertension, and

, who do not have risk factors for cardiovascular

, are at moderate risk. They should be counseled

patient need to come to a mutual understanding of the realities of weight loss.

0.83) [51].

**•** Treatment options

and 29.9 kg/m2

**•** Types of treatment

Individuals with a BMI of 25–29.9 kg/m2

270 Coronary Artery Disease - Assessment, Surgery, Prevention

dyslipidemia), or with a BMI of 30–34.9 kg/m2

feedback, and clinical support [54].

about weight loss interventions.

Drug therapy is not the first choice, but it is recommended for patients with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 , or a BMI of 27–29.9 kg/m2 if they have comorbid conditions, such as hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, etc.


**•** The most common adverse effects of bariatric surgery were iron deficiency anemia and the need for reoperations.

### **8. Conclusion**

The general consensus is that excess intake of calories from any source and physical inactivity, associated with a sedentary lifestyle, causes weight gain and obesity. The strong evidences from trials, studies, and guidelines have been reported that obesity and its related comorbidity increase the risk of mortality. The benefits of weight loss are also seen. However, it is not good enough to just decrease body weight.

A well-designed weight loss program for individuals includes the weight loss goal, preexercise evaluation, exercise program, diet therapy, and the adequate medication—"Right drug, Right does, Right population" for these obese patients with comorbidities.

Even though obesity increases prevalence year by year, we must look forward to the challenge of reversing this epidemic and have confidence in our future.

#### **Appendices and nomenclatures**

Waist circumference measurement sites:


#### **Author details**

Jian-Lin Wu1 and Chi-Wen Juan1,2\*


#### **References**

**•** The most common adverse effects of bariatric surgery were iron deficiency anemia and the

The general consensus is that excess intake of calories from any source and physical inactivity, associated with a sedentary lifestyle, causes weight gain and obesity. The strong evidences from trials, studies, and guidelines have been reported that obesity and its related comorbidity increase the risk of mortality. The benefits of weight loss are also seen. However, it is not good

A well-designed weight loss program for individuals includes the weight loss goal, preexercise evaluation, exercise program, diet therapy, and the adequate medication—"Right drug, Right

Even though obesity increases prevalence year by year, we must look forward to the challenge

does, Right population" for these obese patients with comorbidities.

**2.** Place measuring tape in horizontal plane around abdomen at iliac crest.

1 Department of Family Medicine, Kuang Tien General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan

of reversing this epidemic and have confidence in our future.

need for reoperations.

272 Coronary Artery Disease - Assessment, Surgery, Prevention

enough to just decrease body weight.

**Appendices and nomenclatures**

Waist circumference measurement sites:

**4.** Tape should be parallel to floor.

and Chi-Wen Juan1,2\*

**Author details**

Jian-Lin Wu1

**1.** Locate upper hip bone and top of right iliac crest.

**3.** Ensure tape in sung but does not compress the skin.

**5.** Record measurement at the end of a normal expiration.

\*Address all correspondence to: juanchiwen@yahoo.com.tw

2 Department of Nursing, Hung Kuang University, Taichung, Taiwan

**8. Conclusion**


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