Research on Obesity: A Quarter-Century Experience from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Context This paper aims to synthesize a quarter-century of research on obesity from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), a large prospective population-based cohort.

Evidence Acquisition A comprehensive literature search identified original studies from the TLGS investigating obesity indices, body composition, obesity phenotypes, and their associations with cardiometabolic outcomes.

Results Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study findings demonstrate alarming increases in the prevalence and incidence of general and abdominal obesity among Tehranian adults and children. The studies have established population-specific anthropometric cut-offs, revealed the complex associations of various obesity phenotypes with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease, and highlighted the critical role of metabolic health over weight status alone.

Conclusions This substantial body of evidence provides crucial insights for crafting effective public health strategies and future research in transitioning populations.