Cardiovascular disease risk research continues to forward our understanding about how we can prevent the progression of heart disease and stroke by keeping tabs on various reversible risk factors. With that goal in mind, the first-ever Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on the Management and Prevention of Obesity in Adults and Children recommends that waist circumference be measured in all Canadian adults, and that a national surveillance system be developed that incorporates this measurement along with height and weight.

• Dr. David Lau, M.D., Ph.D., FRCPC, Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Chair, Diabetes and Endocrine Research Group at the University of Calgary Vice Chair and Chair, Science and Programming Committee at the Canadian Obesity Network and President of Obesity Canada.