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Pot belly linked to heart disease | Pot belly linked to heart disease |
(1 day later) | |
Even a small pot belly can increase the risk of heart disease, scientists warn. | Even a small pot belly can increase the risk of heart disease, scientists warn. |
Research from the University of Texas found large waist measurements, relative to hip size, were linked to early signs of heart disease. | Research from the University of Texas found large waist measurements, relative to hip size, were linked to early signs of heart disease. |
This confirms other research that waist size, rather than overall body weight, is a key indicator of heart disease. | This confirms other research that waist size, rather than overall body weight, is a key indicator of heart disease. |
The study of 2,744 people suggests that a waist size of 32ins (81cm) for a woman and 37ins (94cm) for a man represents a "significant" raised risk. | The study of 2,744 people suggests that a waist size of 32ins (81cm) for a woman and 37ins (94cm) for a man represents a "significant" raised risk. |
The report was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. | The report was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. |
Even a small pot belly puts us at higher risk when compared to a flat tummy Professor James de Lemos | Even a small pot belly puts us at higher risk when compared to a flat tummy Professor James de Lemos |
The authors looked at men and women who underwent medical tests and imaging scans to identify the early signs of atherosclerosis - the narrowing and hardening of the arteries linked to the development of cardiovascular disease. | The authors looked at men and women who underwent medical tests and imaging scans to identify the early signs of atherosclerosis - the narrowing and hardening of the arteries linked to the development of cardiovascular disease. |
Body shape important | Body shape important |
They then examined the relationship between the participants' body shapes and the presence of atherosclerosis. | They then examined the relationship between the participants' body shapes and the presence of atherosclerosis. |
They found adding a few inches to the waist increased the risk of damage in the arteries, even if body weight remained within the normal range. | They found adding a few inches to the waist increased the risk of damage in the arteries, even if body weight remained within the normal range. |
People with the largest waist-to-hip ratios (WHRs) were almost twice as likely to have calcium deposits, which indicate the onset of atherosclerosis, in the arteries of their hearts, as those with the smallest WHRs. | People with the largest waist-to-hip ratios (WHRs) were almost twice as likely to have calcium deposits, which indicate the onset of atherosclerosis, in the arteries of their hearts, as those with the smallest WHRs. |
Even small 'pot-bellies' can be dangerous | Even small 'pot-bellies' can be dangerous |
And even when other risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes and age were taken into account, the link remained strong. | And even when other risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes and age were taken into account, the link remained strong. |
Professor James de Lemos, who led the research, said: "Fat that accumulates around your waist seems to be more biologically active as it secretes inflammatory proteins that contribute to atherosclerotic plaque build-up, whereas fat around your hips doesn't appear to increase risk for cardiovascular disease at all. | Professor James de Lemos, who led the research, said: "Fat that accumulates around your waist seems to be more biologically active as it secretes inflammatory proteins that contribute to atherosclerotic plaque build-up, whereas fat around your hips doesn't appear to increase risk for cardiovascular disease at all. |
"We think the key message for people is to prevent accumulation of central fat early on in their lives. | "We think the key message for people is to prevent accumulation of central fat early on in their lives. |
"Even a small pot belly puts us at higher risk when compared to a flat tummy." | "Even a small pot belly puts us at higher risk when compared to a flat tummy." |
Abdominal fat risks | Abdominal fat risks |
And waist-to-hip ratio was more closely linked to these early signs of heart disease than either body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference alone. | And waist-to-hip ratio was more closely linked to these early signs of heart disease than either body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference alone. |
BMI is widely used to assess relative body weight, and is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in metres. | |
June Davison, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "People who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing heart disease. | June Davison, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "People who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing heart disease. |
"The risks are even higher when fat is mainly concentrated around the abdomen. | "The risks are even higher when fat is mainly concentrated around the abdomen. |
"What's important is that people consider their body shape as well as their weight. | "What's important is that people consider their body shape as well as their weight. |
"Controlling both by eating less and being more active is an effective way to reduce your risk of heart and circulatory disease." | "Controlling both by eating less and being more active is an effective way to reduce your risk of heart and circulatory disease." |
Dr Ian Campbell, medical director of charity Weight Concern, said even just measuring waist circumference could be useful to assess abdominal fat levels and risks of disease. | Dr Ian Campbell, medical director of charity Weight Concern, said even just measuring waist circumference could be useful to assess abdominal fat levels and risks of disease. |
He said: "The beauty of it is that it is simple, reproducible, and both patients and doctors/nurses can measure and understand it." | He said: "The beauty of it is that it is simple, reproducible, and both patients and doctors/nurses can measure and understand it." |
Previous studies have suggested that a waist circumference of over 35in (88.9cm) for a woman, and 40in (101.6cm) for a man indicates a high risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. | Previous studies have suggested that a waist circumference of over 35in (88.9cm) for a woman, and 40in (101.6cm) for a man indicates a high risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. |
Even a waist circumference of 32in (81.3cm) for a woman, and 37in (94cm) for a man represents a "significant" raised risk. | Even a waist circumference of 32in (81.3cm) for a woman, and 37in (94cm) for a man represents a "significant" raised risk. |
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