Obesity and the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus

The increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide has many experts concerned about the worsening health of a large proportion of the population. It is well recognized that obe-sity is associated with a higher mortality, an increased risk of hypertension and hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, dia-betes mellitus, osteoarthritis, gall bladder disease and possibly some cancers. Currently it is estimated that over two thirds of adults in the United States are overweight and nearly one third are clinically obese.' Of special concern is the rapid increase in obesity among children. Other countries both developed and developing are experiencing similar trends.