Topic: Beyond BMI: Obesity, Fitness, and Cardiovascular Health

Obesity has been increasing in epidemic proportions in most of the World. Recently, the definition of obesity has changed to incorporate anthropometric indices other than just body mass index (BMI), generally even increasing the prevalence to even much higher levels. However, physical activity (PA), exercise and fitness markedly alter the relationship between adiposity, cardiovascular (CV) health, and CV disease (CVD) outcomes.

Objectives:

● To review the new definitions of obesity;

● To review the relative roles of various obesity indices on overall CVD risk;

● To review the impact of PA and fitness, both cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular fitness (MusF) into obesity prognosis;

● To review the role of cardiometabolic diseases in overall CV health and CVD;

● To review various non-pharmacological, pharmacologic, and surgical therapies for patients with obesity.

Topics Covered:

● Epidemiology of obesity and cardiometabolic health and CVD around the globe;

● Assessing various obesity indices and cardiometabolic factors to predict CVD risk in obesity;

● Impact of PA/CRF/MusF on prognosis in patients with obesity;

● Impact of various obesity therapies on body composition, risk factors and CVD- and all-cause outcomes

● Impact of Sex/Gender differences on obesity and obesity outcomes.   

Target Audience:

Scientists who study body composition and obesity and clinicians in primary care and many medical subspecialties who care for patients with obesity, as well as industry, insurers and government agencies.