過重及肥胖是慢性疾病發生的主要原因,會增加罹病率及死亡的風險,如心血管疾病、高血壓、血脂異常(包含高膽固醇血症、高三酸甘油脂血症等)、第二型糖尿病、睡眠呼吸中止症等(James et al., 2001; Mokdad et al., 2003; Visscher and Seidell, 2001)。
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Mokdad AH, Ford ES, Bowman BA, Dietz WH, Vinicor F, Bales VS, Marks JS. Prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and obesity-related health risk factors, 2001. JAMA 289, 76-9, 2003.
Visscher TL, Seidell JC. The public health impact of obesity. Annu Rev Public Health 22, 355-75, 2001.
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