Lose the Belly, Not Just the Pounds
Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Dec 11, 2023Measure Your Belly to Hip Ratio
Based on findings from a multi-ethnic Dallas Heart Study of more than 2,700 men and women between the ages of 30 and 65, it was determined that body shape was a better indicator of calcium or plaque status than weight or BMI. For both men and women, the larger the belly is in relation to hips the greater the possibility of having arterial calcium in the heart.
Those with the largest waist to hip ratios in the group studied were nearly twice as likely to have coronary calcium and three times as likely to have atherosclerotic plaque compared to those with the smallest. Even incremental increases in waist to hip ratios meant steady increases in calcium deposits.
According to findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology as cited in ABC HealthDay article: "pot bellies" may play an important role in determining the risk for heart disease:
Not Them Apples
“What we’re seeing is a quite strong association between the pot-belly, apple shape among a relatively young group of people and the build-up of plaque in the arteries,…
“Ten to 15 years down the road, this can lead to major cardiac problems, such as a heart attack,…
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Work with Dr Aron Medical Weight Loss Center if you need actionable guidance from a medical weight loss doctor in Brooklyn, NYC. Visit WeightLossNYC.com or call 718-491-5525 to start now.
Sources: HealthDay Reporter retrieved 03/23/07, ABC News, American College of CardiologyLabels: fat, men, obesity, weight loss, women
