A study done in Europe with 360,000 participants in one of the longest health studies in the world was featured in the New England Journal of Medicine in November. What the study found was that people with the most visceral fat (in layman’s terms, belly fat) had double the mortality rate of those that had less fat around the midsection. Here are some of the specifics outlined by the study:
- Men with waists over 40 inches and women with waists over 35 inches had approximately double the risk of early death as people with waist’s circumferences that were smaller (the study identified men with waists below 34 inches and women with waists less than 28 inches).
- For every 2 inch increase in waist circumference, a person’s mortality rate increases 17%.
- The ratio between a person’s waist and hips also strongly predicted mortality.
But here is the shocker. This factor even applied to people who were NOT overweight. The study’s ultimate finding is that it is not just having fat on your body that is a health risk, but also the way that fat is distributed on your body.
My Two Cents: Now that last part hit me like a ton of bricks, because that was basically me. And the fact is despite not being obese I have had a lot of health complications (diabetes, heart disease and cancer). I have changed all of those factors now, which is why this blog exists and I am writing you. So what is the solution? Let me tell you. If you have a genetic disposition to having a lot of belly fat (a good indication is to look at your family members) you can’t change your genetics, but you can be aware of the issue and address it by setting some goals healthwise. As we say goodbye to 2008 I say we resolve to set some goals for 2009.
In my house we are making it a goal of losing 100 lbs as a family. Each of us will lose 33 lbs over the course of the year. Personally, I want to see my abs in 2009. Join us in going on this resolution. Over the course of 2009, we will be chronicling our quest, blogging on it, providing resources and encouragement to anyone who wants to join us. To follow us you can susbcribe to our newsletter, RSS feed or better yet, follow us on Twittter @slimer_in_2009. And remember Get Healthy!! Your Life Depends On It!!! Literally!!
convert this post to pdf. Posted under General Health
This post was written by admin on December 30, 2008
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