We focus on experimental, preclinical, translational and clinical research in diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Obesity is defined as weight gain above the normal limit due to excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in the body. Obesity is determined by the body mass index (BMI), which is calculated as the ratio of body weight in kilograms to the square of body height in metres. The increasing prevalence of obesity is a major health problem in virtually all developed countries of the world. In the Czech Republic, more than half of the adult population is overweight (defined as a BMI between 25-29.9 kg/m2 ) or obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2 ), and the number is increasing.
Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by a long-term increase in blood glucose (sugar) levels. If diabetes is not adequately treated, elevated glycaemia levels lead to serious complications, especially increased risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke), reduced life expectancy, and damage to eyesight, nerves and kidneys.
Although cardiovascular disease mortality rates are steadily declining, they are still the most common cause of death in most European countries, including the Czech Republic, where they are responsible for half of all deaths. Yet the Czech Republic lags far behind Western Europe. Compared to France, the death rate from these diseases is almost three times higher.
dana.hruskova@ikem.cz
