Cardiovascular risk in the Asia-Pacific region from a nutrition and metabolic point of view: abdominal obesity

The level of obesity within the Pacific Islands is extremely high and so is the prevalence of weight-related morbidity and mortality. In contrast, the level of obesity, as defined by the standard WHO classification, remains relatively low in most Asian countries, yet rates of obesity-related disease, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are increasing rapidly. Many Asian races appear to be susceptible to the development of excessive abdominal fatness, even at low levels of body mass index (BMI). In addition, the health consequences of weight gain appear to occur at much lower levels of BMI and are more intense than in those of European origin. The exact reasons for these ethnic variations in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) remain unclear. It is likely that genetic differences contribute to this variation in CHD risk, but different dietary and physical activity patterns may also play a role. The advent of modernisation has resulted in marked changes in the level of physical activity and the food supply available throughout the Asia-Pacific region. There has been a shift towards higher intakes of fats (particularly animal fats and vegetable oils) and sugars. Urbanisation and occupational restructuring have reduced daily physical activity levels. As a result, the population mean BMI and consequent illness is increasing in many countries within the region. Recent studies have shown that infants who were undernourished in utero and then born small have a greater risk of developing abdominal obesity and related morbidity as adults. As undernutrition coexists with overnutrition throughout the Asia-Pacific, focusing efforts to improve nutrition during pregnancy win need to be combined with programs to prevent weight gain in adults if CHD and other chronic diseases are to be effectively tackled in the region.