Abdominal fat dramatically increases risk of death

Posted on 2008-11-17 07:05:08 in Death and Dying | Weight and Obesity |
Abdominal fat significantly increases a person's risk of premature death, even if their overall weight is within normal limits, say researchers.

Abdominal fat significantly increases a person's risk of premature death, even if their overall weight is within normal limits, say researchers.

Researchers examined the association between BMI, waist circumference, and the risk of death using data collected from 359,387 participants enrolled in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study.

Results showed that there was a significant association between BMI and risk of death, with higher risks of death observed in the lower and upper BMI categories than in the middle categories – the lowest risk of death was observed in men with a BMI of 25.3 and women with a BMI of 24.3.

The results also showed that waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were a “powerful indicator” of risk of death, regardless of BMI. Men with waists exceeding 47″ (119cm) were twice as likely to die early compared with those with waists of less than 31.5″ (80 cm), in women, those with waists over 39″ (99 cm) had double the risk of premature death compared to those of less than 25.5″ (64.7 cm). For people with the same BMI each extra 2″ (5 cm) raised the risk of early death by 17% for men and 13% for women.

The researchers concluded: “The current results underscore the importance of assessing the distribution of body fat even among persons of normal weight and challenge the use of cutoff points to define abdominal obesity, at least when they are used to predict the risk of death. Our finding of a positive association between waist circumference and the risk of death among participants of normal weight may also explain why studies have been unable to show a linear relationship between BMI and the risk of death across the entire range of BMI values.

Pischon T, Boeing H, Hoffman K, et al. General and Abdominal Adiposity and Risk of Death in Europe. NEJM 2008;359:2105-2120.


Health Headlines

Physiological Changes in Brain as We Age
University of Michigan (US) scientists identify breakdowns in brain connections that slow reaction times as we age.
Cinnamon Helps to Improve Antioxidant Status
Cinnamon extract helps to improve antioxidant status, potentially reducing risk factors associated with diabetes and heart disease.
Modest Weight Gain Can Prompt Cardiovascular Issues
Young people who add as little as 9 lbs of adominal fat are at increased risk for developing endothelial cell dysfunction, a precursor to cardiovascular disease
Green Leafy Vegetables Help Reduce Diabetes Risk
Eating 1.5 extra servings of green leafy vegetables daily may reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes by up to 14%.
B Vitamins and the Aging Brain Examined
US Dept. of Agriculture researchers take a closer look at the role of B vitamins, including folate and B-12, in preventing age-related cognitive decline.
Sweet Pepper Compounds May Help to Manage Weight
Canadian team reveals that capsinoids, the non-pungent compounds found in sweet pepper, help to boost energy utilization.
Yoga Boosts Mood & Reduces Anxiety
Boston University School of Medicine (US) find that yoga may be superior to other forms of exercise in its positive effect on mood and anxiety.
Unpleasant Personality Raises Stroke Risk
People with antagonistic or disagreeable personalities have vascular abnormalities that may make them more prone to stroke.
Vitamin D Helps Protect Against Mold Allergies
Vitamin D may help to protect asthmatics from an allergic response linked to common mold (Aspergillus fumigates).
Fish Oil Helps to Offset Metabolic Syndrome
Spanish team reports that dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids, including fish oil, may improve blood lipid levels of people with Metabolic Syndrome.
Find an Anti-aging Doctor!

  
View Current Anti-Aging Newsletter!
Second Opinion with Dr. Ron Klatz
Solutions to improve your life, and your lifespan too.
radio tower Dr. Ronald Klatz, A4M physician founder, interviews the world’s top anti-aging experts in health, longevity, brain fitness, aesthetic beauty, and more. Get the answers to look and feel twenty years younger today.
Tune in to Second Opinion with Dr. Ronald Klatz. »

upcoming Events

U.S. Events
symposiums
workshops
congresses
Las Vegas
fellowships
fellowships
International Events
See all events »