Worldwide spread of lifestyle diseases and its importance for cardiovascular events

Most cardiovascular disease risk factors are modifiable by lifestyle changes. Nevertheless, the modern lifestyle is associated with increasing cardiovascular risk worldwide, with high prevalence of smoking, physical inactivity and obesity. Obesity is linked with diabetes, which has risen alarmingly, presently affecting 194 million people worldwide. The number of people with diabetes is also expected to double by 2025. Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is the number one cause of death in industrialized countries. The complications of diabetes also increase disability, reduce life expectancy and create tremendous health costs. There is research available, however, which shows that diabetes can be prevented in the obese through lifestyle intervention. Such interventions are necessary to overcome what may be the most challenging health problem of the 21st century.