Obesity is one of the leading life style diseases which have been identified as more aggressive than AIDS.

There is a definite link between body weight and heart disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease, which is the No. 1 cause of death globally. While some causes for this higher risk are understood, others are not.

For example, studies show that obesity is linked to:

• Increases in LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides
• Decreases in HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
• High blood pressure
• Increased risk for type 2 Diabetes: The combination of excess weight and diabetes is associated with a greater risk for heart disease and developing complications from diabetes.

Even when no risk factors are present, excess weight itself increases risk for heart disease