Obesity, the leading causes of elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and morbidity.

The correlation between heart disease and obesity has been recently established, and researchers currently believe that an increase in BMI directly raises the risk of heart disease, including congestive heart failure and heart attack.

The development of heart disease in obese patients is related a common feature that occurs due to excess weight, which is left ventricular hypertrophy. Increased left ventricular volume and stress in the walls of the heart contribute for the hypertrophy, which can result in premature death. Hypertension, high blood pressure and alterations in the right heart are also factors that contribute for heart disease and are aggravated by obesity.

Each year, 300,000 children become obese worldwide, with estimates showing that the number of overweight children will increase by 1.3 million per year.

Children have fewer weight-related health and medical problems than adults. However, overweight children are at high risk of becoming overweight adolescents and adults, placing them at risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes later in life. They are also more prone to developing stress, sadness, and low self-esteem. Children become overweight and obese for a variety of reasons. The most common causes are genetic factors, lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of these factors.