Biology of Disease

A number of diseases occur more frequently in obese individuals (Figure

10.25), including type 2 diabetes mellitus (Chapter 7), coronary heart disease,

hypertension (Chapter 14), cholelithiasis (Chapter 11) and osteoarthritis

(Chapter 18). Not surprisingly, mortality rates are also greater as body weight

increases. Some of the complications of obesity are listed in the Table 10.7.

The increasing incidence of obesity in many developed countries (Figure

10.26 (A)), and particularly in children of the USA and UK (Figure 10.26 (B)),

is of concern.

X]VeiZg&%/ DIET AND DISEASE

'*+ W^dad\nd[Y^hZVhZ

Stroke

Atherosclerosis

(damaged blood

vessels)

Coronary heart

disease

Kidney failure

Hypertension with

associated

complications

Figure 10.25 Schematic indicating the

characteristic shape of an obese person with

some of the associated complications indicated.

Figure 10.26 The increasing incidences of obesity in (A) adults and (B) children in the UK.

Data from a variety of sources.

Disease Pathophysiology

Cholelithiasis increased cholesterol, bile stasis

Diabetes mellitus insulin resistance

Hypertension obesity, inappropriate lifestyle

Osteoarthritis increased wear and tear of joints

Respiratory disorder impaired lung ventilation

Vascular disease hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes

Table 10.7Complications associated with obesity

Girls

Boys

(Age 2 – 10 years)

5

10

15

20

25

1980 1991 1997 2005

Men

Women

Year

Obesity / %

A)

5

10

15

20

199519961997199819992000200120022003

Obesity / %

Year

B)