Obesity as Inflammatory Condition

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in the past decade. This foreshadows an increase in the rates of morbidity and mortality from obesity-related diseases. Research is more frequently proposing that obesity may be seen as a factor linking chronic; systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis. C-reactive protein is an acute phase reactant and a sensitive marker for acute and chronic inflammation of diverse causes. Human adipose tissue expresses interleukin-6; a cytokine that activates the production of C-reactive protein from the liver; potentially inducing low-grade systemic inflammation in persons with excess body fat. This could explain the increased risk of diabetes; heart disease and many other chronic diseases in the obese. This paper aims to provide a review on obesity as an ever-growing epidemic and the possible role that chronic systemic inflammation might play in contributing to the risks associated with one of the most common public health problems