3 minute read
research published by the american heart association in their journal, circulation, is shedding light on obesity and its impact on cardiovascular health.
the study suggests that people with abdominal obesity or excess fat around the midsection and organs have an increased risk of heart disease even if their body mass index (bmi) is within a healthy range.
the researchers note that abdominal obesity is so risky that people who are overweight, or living with obesity based on their bmi, could still have lower risk of cardiovascular issues if they have lower levels of fat tissue around their midsection. this concept is called “metabolically healthy obesity”.
advertisement
it should be pointed out, however, that the origins of bmi are dubious and although it is now the standardized measure for body mass, bmi does not account for age, sex, race or bone structure.
obesity is a complex disease with many societal influences including biological, psychological, environmental aspects which may determine why someone is living with it. but, it is also closely associated with heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions so researchers focused on ways of treating and managing it as part of this study.
advertisement
living with obesity: ‘love yourself, no matter what size you are’
