Relationship of serum leptin with body composition and historical risk factors of cardiovascular disease in premenopausal women aged 25 to 50 years

Abstract

The dietary habits of people changed from plant-based diet to high fat, energy densed animal-based food. In addition, with the advancement of science people became less physicaly active. These significant changes of life style led to a pandemic of obesity in the world. Initially, obesity was considered a problem mainly confined to high-income countries. The trend has changed and, at present, overweight and obesity are on the rise in low and middle-income countries, especially among the urban population. In Sri Lanka the prevalence of obesity and its complications are increasing at an alarming rate (Tudawe, 2000; Wijewardene, at al 2005).