Just a few days back, we came across an article which shed light on the protein which determines body shape. Well, it seems that whether apple or pear shape, the impact of obesity on heart remains the same. According to a recent study by the University of Cambridge, apple shape individuals do not have higher risk of heart attacks and strokes than obese people with other types of fat distribution.
The study examined around 220,000 adults for almost a decade. During the investigation a total of 14,000 experienced a heart attack or stroke. It was suggested that obesity paves way for cardiovascular disease, but BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio each had an identical impact on the threat of subsequent heart attack and strokes. Experts mention that GPs are extremely vital to measure blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
“BMI used with good clinical judgment is highly appropriate in adults because it is so strongly associated with chronic disease risk, although we caution that it is correlated with height in children. Many overweight or obese adolescent, young adult, and middle-aged individuals with few risk factors for cardiovascular disease will develop that risk relatively soon, so BMI should serve as an early warning, both to them and their general practitioners. But discriminating which overweight individuals without current risk factors for cardiovascular disease will go on to develop those risk factors, and ultimately clinical cardiovascular disease, remains a challenge-here, blood tests continue to be helpful,” remarked Dr Rachel R Huxley, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota.
The study findings can supposedly aid in guiding medical practice worldwide as national and international guidelines offer differing recommendations about the value of clinical measures in obesity for prediction of cardiovascular disease risk during primary prevention. Analyzing BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, either singly or in combination probably fails to enhance cardiovascular disease risk prediction.
The study is published online and in an upcoming edition of Lancet.