[The epidemic of metabolic diseases, a major problem of public health].

The industrialized world is confronted to a real epidemic of metabolic diseases triggered by overeating and sedentarity. Obesity, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes mellitus and the metabolic syndrome associated to insulin resistance are well-known cardiovascular risk factors which all contribute to increase both morbidity and mortality, to alter the quality of life and to markedly increase the budget of the social security. Preventive measures should be taken urgently in order to correct such a dangerous trend for the public health.