Health Consequences of Human Central Obesity

Obesity is now considered a global epidemic. Central obesity is the state of excess adiposity in the abdominal region. It is associated with increased, cardiovascular or cancer mortality. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has recommended the assessment of central obesity mandatory for diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Hitherto, there is a huge gap in our understanding of the role of central obesity as a health risk across different populations around the world. There also exist a vast population variation in the relationship between generalized obesity as measured by body mass index and /or percent body fat and the central adiposity measures. For instance, Asian-Indians have a typical phenotype of higher body fat at lower BMI levels compared to their European counterparts. Development and use of region specific standards of measurement of central obesity is in need until a universal agreement is achieved. With this background, the present volume has been organized with some very informative articles from highly reputed scholars, researching on obesity in general and on central obesity, in particular. We have here articles based on empirical data as well some review articles critically examining some theoretical, epidemiological and clinical aspects pertaining to the theme of this volume. Through the 14 chapters of this volume, we have attempted to cover diverse aspects concerning the paradigm of central or abdominal adiposity / obesity within a broader framework of obesity.