<Journal> </Journal>

<ArticleTitle>Can We Slow Down the Global Increase of Adiposity?</ArticleTitle>

<FirstPage>211</FirstPage>

<LastPage>211</LastPage>

<AuthorList></AuthorList>

<History> </History>

<Abstract>Excess bodyweight is a major public health concern increasing worldwide with substantial variation between nations. Between 1980 and 2008, mean body mass index (BMI) increased by 0.4 kg/m2 per decade for men and by 0.5 kg/m2 for women. In 2008, an estimated 1.46 billion adults worldwide had BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater. Among the high-income countries, United States had the highest BMI.1 Recent birth cohorts are becoming obese in greater proportions for a given age, and are experiencing a greater duration of obesity over their lifetime.2 Global prevalence of childhood adiposity increased dramatically since 1990 starting already in preschool children. In 2010, 43 million children (35 million in developing countries) were estimated to be overweight or obese. The worldwide prevalence increased from 4.2% in 1990 to 6.7% in 2010 and is expected to increase to 9.1% in 2020.3 In the semi-rural community Bogalusa (Louisiana), childhood obesity epidemic has not plateaued and the proportion of overweight/obese 5 to 17 years old youths even increased from 5.6% in 1973/1974 to 30.8% in 2008/2009.4 Because adiposity is associated with cardio-metabolic risk factors, even in young children, and higher BMI during children is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in adulthood, successful prevention of adiposity in youth could reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults.5-8 An elevated BMI in adolescence constitutes a substantial risk factor for obesity-related disorders in midlife. Elevated BMI in both adolescence and adulthood were independently associated with angiography&ndash;proven CHD.9 Effective treatment of obese individuals can substantially reduce risk factors for CVD and improve disease management.10&nbsp;</Abstract>