Obesity and cardiovascular disease: is body structure a factor?

Abstract

Obesity is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Individuals who predominantly store fat abdominally (particularly in the visceral area), more often present with an atherogenic lipid profile and are more frequently characterized by hemostatic, metabolic and anatomical abnormalities compatible with insulin resistance and increased atherothrombotic risk. Weight loss improves many of the cardiovascular risk factors associated with abdominal obesity.