All articles tagged with #waist circumference
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.