Belly fat is a bigger risk factor for heart disease than general obesity, warns study

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By Chaitra Krishnamurthy

6 October 2024

BMI remains a widely used screening method to determine health risks, although experts and studies argue it has its limitations. However, a recent study highlights a different body measurement that is a stronger factor than general obesity.

The shape of a persons body is seen as an indicator of their overall health, as overweight or underweight both contribute to serious illnesses. While obesity in itself poses several health risks, a paunch is especially deadly.

Study links roundness of body to heart diseases

The researchers analyzed over 10,000 Chinese adults older than 45 between 2011 and 2020 to determine that having a higher body roundness level for more than 6 years put them at higher risk of heart disease.

The findings are alarming, as the risk of cardiovascular disease among middle-aged people is 163% when they have a higher body roundness index, regardless of other factors such as lifestyle, medical history, diet, etc.

The study was conducted to better understand the impact of abdominal fat and body shape in developing the deadly disease. The results help predict the risk which is higher than health complications from general obesity.

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BRI is an abdominal obesity-related index that combines waist circumference and height, reflecting the proportion of abdominal and visceral fat, states the news release on the American Heart Association.

While the risk of heart disease increased by 61% in moderate-stable BRI level groups, it was 163% among participants in the high-stable BRI level group.

In the follow-up period between 2017 to 2020, 3,052 cardiovascular events were recorded with 894 cardiovascular deaths.

How to reduce belly fat

Now that we have established the dangers of belly fat, its time to discuss ways to reduce it. Unfortunately, no number of crunches can get rid of the paunch youve packed, unless you are on a calorie deficit.

Here are a few more tips to lose abdominal fat as suggested by Johns Hopkins medicine

• Researchers found that losing weight by maintaining a low-carb diet was more effective on the heart compared to a low-fat diet.

• Stick to an eating plan and not the diet, meaning avoiding ultra-processed foods or anything high in carbs and sugar instead of worrying about the total calories is recommended.

• Make physical activity a priority as body movements reduce circulating levels of�insulin, thus signaling the body to work off the belly fat.

• Focus on building lean mass rather than losing weight. While your weight may remain unchanged, youll naturally reduce the inches around your waist. Your waistline should be less than 35 inches if youre a woman or less than 40 inches if youre a man to reduce heart and diabetes risks, states the blog.�

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