Visceral obesity increases the risk of death

 

According to a study by researchers from the Mayo Clinic in the U.S., people who have excess fat around the waist shows a higher risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases

Analysis was conducted on a sample of 15 923 patients included in five studies of this kind. Basically, it was found that after both measured waist circumference, and body mass index (ratio of body mass and height), the researchers found that patients with excess fat in the waist (over 88 cm in women and 100 cm men) had a risk of death by 75% higher compared to those who have thin waist.

"Not only body mass is important, but how fat is distributed in the body," says Dr. Thais Coutinho, author of the research.

People with visceral obesity presents a serious risk of suffering cardiovascular diseases. "Although the study involved only people who suffer from coronary heart disease, proving that belly fat associated with other risk factors favor the occurrence of diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, " said Dr Mike Knapton, director of the Institute of Cardiology in Great Britain.