Even slight overweight is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

Physicians refute the so-called obesity paradox

There has been an increasing amount of conflicting evidence recently as to whether light overweight may be healthy for people. Researchers now found out that it is impossible to be fat and fit. In other words, overweight is always unhealthy and promotes heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure.

• Experts refute the obesity paradox.
• Even slight overweight can lead to cardiovascular diseases.
• Thick sports people still have a higher risk.
• The risk of dying from cardiovascular disease increases with weight.
• Lean people are better protected against cardiovascular disease.
• So-called belly fat is especially dangerous for the health.
• Obesity also increases the risk of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

The researchers at the University of Glasgow found in their recent research that slight overweight is not healthy and can lead to several serious illnesses. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "European Heart Journal".

The number of overweight and obese people in Germany is increasing. Obesity also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. (Image: MartesiaBezuidenhout / fotolia.com)

What is the BMI?

The researchers tried to find out how the risk of heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure changes when the body mass index (BMI) is slightly elevated. The experts were able to determine that the risk already increased when the BMI rose above 23. Actually, a BMI between 18.5 and 25 is classified as normal and healthy. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity begins only at a BMI of 25 and obesity at a BMI of more than 30. The so-called BMI refers to the size-to-weight ratio.

What is the obesity paradox?

The findings challenge the long-held conviction that it is possible to be fat and yet not suffer from an increased risk of death from heart disease, which is by far the most common cause of death in Germany. Obesity or even obesity need not have an impact on the risk of cardiovascular deaths if people maintain an adequate level of fitness, so to say. This statement is also known as the obesity paradox.

Nearly 300,000 subjects were examined

For their study, the scientists studied nearly 300,000 people. Participants were 40 to 69 years old and physically healthy at baseline. When evaluating the data, the physicians also considered other influencing factors such as smoking or hypertension. The results show that the more fat a person carries around their hips, the greater the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. The risk of cardiovascular deaths in women increases by 16 percent for every 12.6 cm increase in waist circumference. In men, this risk increases by 10 percent for any increase in the waist circumference of 11.4 cm. Women with a waist circumference of 74 centimeters and men of 83 centimeters have the lowest risk of cardiovascular problems.

A 5.2 point increase in BMI, in turn, increased the risk of cardiovascular disease in women by 13 percent. For men, an increase of 4.3 points in the BMI causes a comparable increase in risk. Any public misunderstanding of a possible protective effect of fat on the risk of stroke and heart disease should therefore be called into question, explains the study author Dr. Stamatina Iliodromiti.

Overweight often starts in childhood, usually due to a wrong diet. (Image: kwanchaichaiudom / fotolia.com)

Belly fat is a particularly strong risk factor

By maintaining a BMI of around 22 to 23, healthy people can minimize their risk of developing or dying from heart disease, the experts explain. The less fat people have around their stomach, the lower the risk of future heart disease. Belly fat is a particularly strong risk factor because, unlike fat pads directly under the skin, it leads to increased release of messengers, which promote inflammation, which then causes damage to blood vessels. No matter which BMI is present, if overweight and obese people lose a few pounds, this will improve the health of those affected, explain the doctors.

Other health effects of obesity

There are no disadvantages when overweight people lose weight through exercise, diet or diet change. Affected individuals must therefore be better supported if they want to lose weight, the researchers emphasize. The current study results may, in their view, have an impact on guidelines for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease in the future. Obesity not only affects the cardiovascular system, but also increases the risk of high blood pressure and metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.

Obesity makes it more difficult for persons with disabilities to move sufficiently. Of course, the causes of weight gain among sufferers are different. Nevertheless, the leaner the person is, the lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. This should also be made clear to the public. If people want to be as healthy as possible, they should also pay attention to a slim figure, so as to minimize their risk of disease. (As)