ABSTRACT
Obesity, characterized by adipose tissue hypertrophy, is well recognized to be associated with higher morbidity and mortality through its relationship with hypertension and increased risk of type 2 diabetes and of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although the association between obesity and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality can seem of low magnitude compared with the impact of other well-known risk factors such as smoking, dyslipidemia, or hypertension, the continuing increase in this condition’s prevalence and its epidemic proportions worldwide have reinforced the need for research in this ‰eld.
