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Excess weight is a well established risk factor for heart disease and premature death. A study published in the reputed journal Annals of Internal Medicine finds that excess weight and obesity in adulthood are linked with a reduction in life span. The study suggests that obesity, both in men and women, decreases their life expectancy by about 7 years.
Body Mass Index (BMI), a measure that calculates your body fat in relation to your height and weight, is a standard indicator of weight measurement. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a BMI range of 18.5 to less than 25.0 in adults represents healthy weight, whereas a BMI range of 25.0 or higher signifies overweight, and 30 or higher is obesity. A BMI of 25 and over heightens the risk of developing various medical problems, including heart disease.
The risk for chronic diseases, including heart disease, further increases with excess fat on the abdomen (large waist circumference). Research shows that excess abdominal fat by itself, even if you have a normal BMI, heightens your risk for heart disease. It is believed that excess abdominal weight acts like an active organ and produces substances that actively contribute to form blockages in the coronary arteries, leading to heart disease. You can estimate your abdominal fat by measuring your waist. Waist measurements exceeding 40 inches in men, and greater than 35 inches in women, are linked to increased risk of developing heart disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than 1 billion adults in the world have excess weight; the number of overweight and obese people in the United States alone exceeds 78 million. These figures reflect how great is the risk of heart disease and premature death from excess weight.
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