The prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions in many countries. Undoubtedly, there is a strong relationship between obesity and chronic societal diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, certain forms of cancer, and respiratory diseases. Although obesity was roughly considered as the result of an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, this view has largely evolved over the last years and the heterogeneity of this condition is now more and more acknowledged in the scientific literature. In this regard, there is now evidence that shed light on the key role played by ectopic fat depots in the deterioration of the cardiometabolic risk profile leading to chronic societal diseases.
If you would like to read more about the pathophysiology, genetics, epigenetics, diagnosis, screening, and prevention of obesity, please click here to access a Primer on Obesity published in Nature Reviews Disease Primers with Jean-Pierre Després, ICCR Scientific Director, as co-author.