In this featured editorial, Dr. Poirier discusses the obesity epidemic sweeping the world both in adults and children and its impact in the field of cardiology. Although obesity, as assessed by the body mass index, is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity is a heterogeneous condition. Cardiologists should also pay attention to body fat distribution and evaluate at-risk obesity with the measurement of waist circumference which could help explain the obesity paradox. Prevention strategies to reduce body weight (healthier nutritional habits and a more physically active lifestyle) should be urgently implemented. Indeed although there is an increase in risk factor awareness and management in modern cardiology, such progress could be counteracted by the rapid increase in overweight and obesity worldwide.
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