Obesity and Peripheral Artery Disease: Current Evidence and Controversies

AbstractPurpose of ReviewObesity is a significant public health problem and a major risk factor for the development and progression of atherosclerosis and its cardiovascular manifestations. Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects 3% –10% of the Western population and, if left untreated, can lead to devastating outcomes with both an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Interestingly, the association between obesity and PAD remains debatable. Whereas it is well known that PAD and obesity frequently overlap in the same pat ients, many studies have demonstrated a negative association between obesity and PAD and a protective effect of obesity on disease development and progression, a phenomenon described as the “obesity paradox.” Possible mechanisms for this paradox may include genetic background, as assessed by men delian randomization studies, adipose tissue dysfunction, and body fat distribution rather than adiposity, while other factors, such as sex, ethnicity, sarcopenia in the elderly population, or aggressive treatment of co-existing metabolic conditions in individuals with obesity compared to those with normal weight, could have some impact as well.Recent RindingsFew reviews and meta-analyses examining systematically the relationship between obesity and PAD exist. The impact of PAD development due to the presence of obesity remains largely controversial. However, the most current evidence, backed by a recent meta-analysis, suggests a potential p...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research