Obesity: the Gateway to NCDs*

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Infographic design: www .lunatrix.co.uk. In the majority of European countries, overweight and obesity are responsible f
Obesity: the Gateway to NCDs* *Non Communicable Diseases

Obesity is an epidemic: complex, chronic and uncontrolled.

According to country estimates for 2008, over 50% of both men and women in the WHO European Region were overweight, and roughly 23% of women and 20% of men were obese.

It is widely acknowledged that obesity is the gateway to many other disease areas, including most NCDs.

Based on the latest estimates in European Union countries, overweight affects 30-70% and obesity affects 10-30% of adults.

60%

60% of children in the WHO European Region who are overweight before puberty will be overweight in early adulthood. Childhood obesity is strongly associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, orthopaedic problems, mental disorders, underachievement in school and lower self-esteem.

In the majority of European countries, overweight and obesity are responsible for about 80% of cases of type 2 diabetes, 35% of ischaemic heart disease and 55% of hypertensive disease among adults.

Excess body weight also puts patients at a higher risk of hypertension, dyslipidaemia, stroke, sleep apnoea, and contributes to debilitating conditions such as osteoarthritis, respiratory difficulties, gallbladder disease, infertility, and psycho-social problems,

leading to reduced quality of life.

Pulmonary Disease Abnormal Function Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypoventilation Syndrome

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Steatosis Steatohepatitis Cirrhosis

Renal diseases/ Alterations Gall Bladder Disease Gynecologic Abnormalities Abnormal Menses Infertility Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Psychological Problems Stroke Cataracts Coronary Heart Disease Diabetes Dyslipidemia Hypertension

Severe Pancreatitis Cancer Breast, Uterus, Cervix Colon, Esophagus, Pancreas Kidney, Prostrate

Osteoarthritis Gout

Appropriately managing and preventing obesity will block a major supply route to ill health. Obesity should therefore be viewed as one of the main targets for current efforts to combat

the increasing NCDs epidemic.

It is clearly imperative that obesity, as a disease and as a gateway to NCDs, is targeted as an area for immediate action and priority for research, innovation and action.

Further reading:

http://easo.org/guidelines-publications

Infographic design: www.lunatrix.co.uk

Medical Complications of Obesity