A new study has found that waist circumference may provide important information about a person’s heart health that cannot be captured by body mass index (BMI), which is calculated based on weight and height.
The findings suggest that some people with a normal BMI may still have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease if they have excess fat around their abdomen.
Researchers analysed data from around 260,000 adults who participated in 15 long-term medical studies and were followed for nearly 20 years.
The study found that people with a normal or slightly overweight BMI but a larger waist circumference or higher waist-to-hip ratio generally faced a 15 to 50 per cent higher risk of various cardiovascular conditions and death.
Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study noted that BMI indicates a person’s weight relative to their height but does not show where fat is stored in the body. Fat accumulated around the abdomen, particularly visceral fat, may pose greater health risks.
Nutrition expert Erin Palinski-Wade told Fox News that the location of body fat may be more important than its overall amount.
According to her, visceral fat accumulates around vital organs and may contribute to inflammation, interfere with insulin function and damage blood vessels, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems.
The research examined several health outcomes, including heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, irregular heart rhythms and deaths related to cardiovascular disease.
Researchers said the findings indicate that assessments of heart health should consider body fat distribution, particularly abdominal fat, rather than relying solely on weight or BMI.
However, the study had some limitations. Researchers did not have complete information about participants’ physical activity, diet or genetic risk factors for obesity. Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratios were also recorded only once, making it difficult to assess how changes in abdominal fat over time may affect cardiovascular risk.
The findings suggest that even people with a normal overall weight may face increased heart risks if they carry excess abdominal fat, highlighting the importance of looking beyond the number shown on the weighing scale when assessing health.
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