Obesity and Cardiovascular Diseases in a High-Risk Population: Evidence-Based Approach to CHD Risk Reduction

Obesity is becoming a worldwide public health problem and it is expected to worsen as its prevalence is increasing in children and adolescents. This report examined the distribution of major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and the effect of life-style changes on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk prediction in a high risk obese African Americans.

We examined the baseline distribution of CVD risk factors in 515 obese African Americans, with mean BMI of 42.9 ± 6.8 kg/m2, and prospectively the effect of a 6-month low-salt, low-fat diet and aerobic-exercise intervention program on risk reduction.

Prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus were 57%, 27% and 24% respectively. Metabolic syndrome was present in 36% and 39% met two features of the syndrome. The 10-year risk prediction for developing CHD ranged from 4% to 17% for women and 6% to 29% for men. After 6 months of life-style changes, many of the risk factors improved, and the CHD risk scores decreased from 6% to 4% in the women and 16% to 13% in the men.

The high prevalence and increasing incidence of obesity and associated cardiovascular risk emphasizes the need to focus on obesity reduction in this high risk population.