ABSTRACT
The number of obese and overweight individuals has risen dramatically over recent years. Obesity exposes individuals to increased risks of developing many diseases such as atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes (T2D), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and certain cancers. Obesity, in particular visceral obesity-the accumulation of adipose tissue inside the abdominal cavity-is associated with resistance to the effects of insulin (insulin resistance; IR) often leading to the development of T2D. Insulin resistance is frequently associated with a state of low-grade inflammation and therefore it is assumed that inflammation contributes to its development [1,2]. Furthermore, although evidence is limited, obesity may be associated with certain immune-mediated disorders such as asthma, psoriasis, and certain cancers.
