Tag

Waist Circumference

All articles tagged with #waist circumference

health1 month ago•210 min saved

Waist circumference outpaces BMI as a predictor of longevity in older adults

A study of about 7,000 adults aged 65+ followed up to 14 years found that waist circumference predicts early death risk more strongly than BMI: men with waists over 40 inches and women over 35 inches had about 24% higher mortality risk after adjusting for BMI, while some overweight/obesity categories by BMI showed lower mortality. The results highlight BMI’s limits in older age and suggest measuring waist circumference alongside BMI and functional health indicators. Underweight individuals faced roughly double the risk of early death, and experts caution against interpreting the findings as fat being protective; instead, emphasis should be on activity, muscle strength, nutrition, and overall health measures.

via CNN|

#aging #bmi #health

health1 month ago•5 min saved

Abdominal Fat Outshines BMI as Heart-Risk Predictor, Study Finds

A large study of nearly 260,000 adults followed for about 20 years found that waist measurements and waist-to-hip ratio better identify cardiovascular risk than BMI, with abdominal/visceral fat linked to higher rates of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and death—even among those with normal or overweight BMI. The findings suggest BMI alone misses important risk factors related to fat distribution, though the study is limited by a single measurement and lack of data on activity, diet, or genetics. The takeaway is to consider where fat is stored, not just how much, when assessing heart health.

via Fox News|

#bmi #cardiovascular-risk #health

health1 month ago•4 min saved

Waist Measurements May Beat BMI in Predicting Heart Disease Risk

A study of nearly 260,000 people found that belly fat (visceral fat) measured by waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio better predicts future heart disease risk than BMI alone; even individuals with normal or overweight BMI can have high visceral fat, increasing risk up to 50%. Clinicians should use waist metrics alongside BMI, and efforts to reduce belly fat—through a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management—are advised.

via Healthline|

#bmi #cardiovascular-disease-risk #health

health-and-medicine2 months ago•6 min saved

Single weekly interval workout rivals thrice-weekly sessions for belly-fat loss

In a four-month randomized trial of 315 adults with central obesity, 75 minutes of brisk interval walking in a single weekly session reduced body fat, waist circumference, and improved cardiorespiratory fitness about as much as the same 75 minutes split across three days, offering once-weekly interval training as a practical alternative for those with busy schedules.

via ScienceDaily|

#body-fat #cardiorespiratory-fitness #central-obesity

health2 months ago•5 min saved

Sleep loss nudges weight and waist size, study finds

A six-week study of 95 adults at risk for heart/metabolic disease found that getting about 90 minutes less sleep per night led to roughly one pound of weight gain and a small increase in waist size, even though overall exercise stayed similar and body fat or muscle didn’t significantly change. The research did not measure caloric intake, so the cause remains unclear. Experts note sleep’s role in regulating metabolism and heart health, with menopause potentially increasing risk; limitations include small sample size and a short duration.

via Fox News|

#health #metabolism #sleep

health4 months ago•6 min saved

Obesity Redefined: BMI Alone May Miss Many Cases

Using an updated obesity definition that accounts for excess body fat and related organ dysfunction, a new study suggests BMI alone may miss many cases and could reclassify a substantial share of U.S. adults as obese. While this approach highlights the need for broader measures like waist circumference, experts caution against overcounting since non-obesity causes can raise fat-related risk and BMI remains a practical starting point for screening, with implications for earlier treatment.

via The New York Times|

#bmi #health #obesity

health6 months ago•5 min saved

Waist size outdoes BMI in predicting heart failure risk, study finds

A Jackson Heart Study analysis found that waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio—measures of central obesity—predicted future heart failure risk, while BMI did not; higher systemic inflammation (hs-CRP) partially mediated this link (about 25–29%), suggesting fat distribution and inflammation drive risk; the study's limitations include a single-site African-American cohort and pending peer review; implications point to prioritizing central obesity and inflammation management through lifestyle changes to reduce heart failure risk.

via Medical News Today|

#central-obesity #health #heart-failure

health11 months ago•2 min saved

Normal BMI Can Mask Hidden Belly Fat and Health Risks

Research shows that about 20% of people with a normal BMI actually have excess abdominal fat, which increases their risk of health problems like hypertension and diabetes. Doctors should consider using additional measurements like waist circumference alongside BMI to better assess health risks, as relying solely on BMI may overlook individuals with hidden obesity.

via Gizmodo|

#bmi #cardiometabolic-risk #health

health11 months ago•7 min saved

New Definition Could Label 70% of US Adults as Obese

A new obesity definition that includes waist measurements significantly increases the estimated prevalence of obesity in the US from 42.9% to 68.6%, revealing many individuals with dangerous belly fat despite normal BMI who face higher health risks. This shift could impact treatment guidelines and healthcare policies, especially for older adults and certain demographics.

via Study Finds|

#american-adults #bmi #health

health3 years ago•6 min saved

The Surprising Truth About BMI and Early Death

A new study suggests that being overweight, as defined by the body mass index (BMI), may not be associated with an increased risk of early death when considered separately from other health issues. The study found that BMI is a poor indicator of mortality risk and should be supplemented with additional measures such as waist circumference and weight trajectory. However, experts caution that the study's limitations make it difficult to determine if the findings are solely due to BMI or other factors. They also emphasize that excess weight is still linked to a higher risk of developing multiple health conditions, which can adversely affect quality of life.

via CNN|

#bmi #health #health-risk

health3 years ago•3 min saved

"Medical Experts Challenge BMI's Accuracy and Racial Bias in Assessing Health and Weight"

The American Medical Association (AMA) has adopted a new policy that clarifies the limitations of using the body mass index (BMI) as a measure of health. The AMA called out the test's racial bias and advised that doctors use other tests, such as waist circumference, body composition, and genetic factors, in conjunction with BMI. The AMA recognizes issues with using BMI as a measurement due to its historical harm, its use for racist exclusion, and because BMI is based primarily on data collected from previous generations of non-Hispanic white populations.

via Yahoo News|

#american-medical-association #bmi #health