Core Insights - The article emphasizes the serious situation of hypertension in China, with approximately 29% of adults aged 30 to 79 affected, highlighting the need for awareness and prevention strategies [1] Group 1: Relationship Between Weight and Hypertension - Obesity is a significant risk factor for hypertension, particularly abdominal obesity, which is defined as a waist circumference of ≥90 cm for men and ≥85 cm for women [3] - The Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to categorize weight, with a BMI increase of 5 leading to a 49% increase in hypertension risk [1][3] Group 2: Health Risks Associated with Hypertension - Hypertension is a core risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, leading to conditions such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke due to long-term elevated blood pressure [4] - Many patients, like Mr. Liu, underestimate their symptoms and neglect medication, which can lead to severe health consequences [4] Group 3: Treatment and Management of Hypertension - Early control of hypertension reduces cardiovascular burden, with medication and potential interventional treatments being options for patients with poor response to medication [6] - Healthy lifestyle habits are crucial for managing hypertension, and patients may consider reducing or stopping medication under medical guidance if lifestyle changes stabilize their blood pressure [6]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the alarming global obesity crisis, projecting that by 2050, over half of adults (3.8 billion) and one-third of children and adolescents (746 million) will be overweight or obese without immediate policy reforms and actions [6][9]. Global Obesity Status - A comprehensive assessment of overweight and obesity from 1990 to 2021 across 204 countries reveals a dramatic increase in obesity rates, with adult obesity rising from 731 million in 1990 to 2.11 billion in 2021, and childhood obesity increasing from 198 million to 493 million [7]. - The study utilized Body Mass Index (BMI) as a standard, defining overweight as a BMI of 25-30 kg/m² and obesity as a BMI of 30 kg/m² or higher for adults, while using specific standards for children [7]. Global Distribution of Obesity - Eight countries—China (402 million), India (180 million), the USA (172 million), Brazil (88 million), Russia (71 million), Mexico (58 million), Indonesia (52 million), and Egypt (41 million)—account for over half of the global adult overweight or obese population [8]. Future Trends - Projections indicate that by 2050, approximately 60% of adults (3.8 billion) and 31% of children and adolescents (746 million) will face overweight or obesity issues, with the growth rate of childhood obesity expected to surpass that of overweight individuals [9]. - The male population aged 5-14 is predicted to experience a higher obesity rate (16.5%) than the overweight rate (12.9%) for the first time by 2050 [10]. Causes of Obesity - The complexity of obesity is emphasized, involving genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, with only 1% of obese individuals successfully losing weight through diet and exercise alone [11]. - The article notes that East Asian genetic traits lead to higher abdominal fat accumulation, which is exacerbated by carbohydrate-rich diets and sedentary lifestyles, increasing the risk of metabolic diseases [12]. Response Strategies - The medical community advocates for a "lifetime management" approach to obesity, suggesting tiered interventions based on severity, including dietary adjustments for overweight individuals, medication for mild obesity, and surgical options for severe cases [13]. - Recommendations include enhancing public education to shift perceptions of obesity from personal responsibility to a broader societal issue, improving policy support for community exercise facilities, and promoting nutritional labeling [13].

Group 1 - The article emphasizes that assessing weight health cannot rely solely on Body Mass Index (BMI), as individuals with a normal BMI may still have abnormal body fat percentage or waist circumference [1][2] - BMI is calculated by dividing weight (in kilograms) by height (in meters) squared, with a normal range for adults generally between 18.5 and 23.9 [1] - Body fat percentage is defined as the proportion of fat weight to total body weight, with normal ranges for adult males being 15% to 18% and for females being 25% to 28% [2] Group 2 - Waist circumference is a critical indicator of abdominal fat accumulation, with normal measurements being less than 85 cm for males and less than 80 cm for females [2] - An increased waist circumference (≥90 cm for males and ≥85 cm for females) can indicate central obesity, which is associated with various metabolic diseases [2] - The article describes a specific body type known as "apple-shaped obesity," characterized by a larger waist despite normal weight, which poses significant health risks [2]