June 25, 2021
According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of obesity has increased approximately 3-fold during the 2010s compared to the 1970s. Given complications, it is not surprising that obesity is classified as a non-infectious disease. Obesity may induce cardiovascular disease and other metabolic implications including hypertension, reduced serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol), and increased waist circumference. Obesity primarily results from excessive calorie consumption (increased food intake) and/or insufficient calorie expenditure (reduced metabolic and physical activity). Secondary causes may be attributed to a genetic or endocrine dysfunction, such as hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, and hyperleptinemia.