From U Liverpool: Sustained increases in obesity and diabetes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22405577

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2012 Mar 7. [Epub ahead of print]

Why have sustained increases in obesity and type 2 diabetes not offset declines in cardiovascular mortality over recent decades in Western countries?

Capewell S, Buchan I.

Source

Department of Public Health & Policy, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK.

Abstract

The majority of Western countries have reported large falls in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) mortality rates since the 1970s. Yet since the 1980s, they have also experienced two-fold or three-fold increases in the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes - both considered substantial risk factors for CVD. So why have these increasing risks apparently not impacted on CVD mortality falls? This viewpoint outlines the main factors involved; examines recent trends and apparent contradictions; offers some explanations for the trends; discusses how more usefully complex epidemiological models might lead to clearer evidence; offers some explanations for the trends; and explores the implications for CVD prevention.