Abstract
The association between obesity and cardiovascular disease is well established. In particular, obesity with large waist circumference (abdominal obesity) is a major risk factor for the development of not only coronary atherosclerosis but, also, arterial hypertension and a variety of malignancies.
Furthermore, obesity is associated with increased prevalence of renal, lung, and gastrointestinal diseases. Proper management of obesity may significantly reduce the associated risks.