Results from many previous studies indicate that obesity is strongly associated with several major health risks and that it contributes to the increased incidence or death, including those from various types of cancers. Over the past 20 years the rates of obesity have tripled in developing countries like China, India, and Russia. This is being attributed mainly to a greater abundance of 'cheap calories' and increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Trends toward increasing obesity are however most concerning in United States, where 28% of men and 34% of women can be considered obese (BMI over 30).

The latest Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) looked at African American, Hispanic, whites and Chinese American individuals in order to investigate possible associations between body weight and health problems within different racial/ethnic and age groups. It's important to note that participants had no history of an existing cardiovascular disease at baseline and that morbidly obese individuals (BMI of 40 or higher) were excluded from the study.

Standard measurements of blood pressure, serum lipid and glucose values were collected and body mass index (BMI) was determined. Participants also underwent measurements of coronary calcium, carotid ITM and left ventricular mass.

Findings confirmed that higher BMI has adverse effects on blood pressure, lipids and glucose levels, despite the fact that overweight individuals may already be receiving antihypertensive or hypoglycemic medication. The study also found that only 5% of Chinese Americans are obese, compared to 30%-50% of African Americans, whites and Hispanics.

Dr. Burke commented: “We see huge amounts of obesity in the other racial ethnic groups (apart from the Chinese) that are not acceptable.” He also said Chinese individuals in this study had been relatively recent immigrants, which indicates different behavior and lifestyle.

The view of obesity has changed, making it an acceptable and common phenomena. Results of this study remind us that this view is incorrect. If Chinese Americans can remain lean (or at least not obese), why can't whites, African Americans and Hispanics?

A goal in fighting obesity among adults is often limited to trying not to gain even more weight, with excuses that gaining fat after losing it is a homeostatic mechanism and thus inevitable. “But I don't buy that. It's tough, but we can change behaviors,” Dr Burke added.

Sources: New MESA Data Show Obesity Is Not Inevitable (Medscape), Global Spotlight Should Be on CVD, Obesity, and Diabetes (Medscape), Obesity and Diabetes in the Developing World — A Growing Challenge (NEJM)