Dr. John's Health Matters
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Posts tagged "waist"
Wednesday, Sep 2nd, 2009 ↓Waist-hip Ratio Better Than BMI For Gauging Obesity In Elderly, Study Finds →
Sept 2, 2009 (Sciencedaily.com)—Body mass index (BMI) readings may not be the best gauge of obesity in older adults, according to new research from UCLA endocrinologists and geriatricians. Instead, they say, the ratio of waist size to hip size may be a better indicator when it comes to those over 70.
In a new study published online in the peer-reviewed journal Annals of Epidemiology, researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA found that the waist-to-hip circumference ratio was a better yardstick for assessing obesity in high-functioning adults between the ages of 70 and 80, presumably because the physical changes that are part of the aging process alter the body proportions on which BMI is based.
“Basically, it isn’t BMI that matters in older adults — it’s waist size,” said Dr. Preethi Srikanthan, UCLA assistant professor of endocrinology and the study’s lead investigator. “Other studies have suggested that both waist size and BMI matter in young and middle-aged adults and that BMI may not be useful in older adults; this is one of the first studies to show that relative waist size does matter in older adults, even if BMI does not matter.”
For full article, see link above.
Larger waists increase asthma risk →
Aug 30, 2009 (Presstv.com)—Apple-shaped women with large waists are reported to be at an increased risk of developing asthma, even if their body weight is normal.
While being overweight is a well-known risk factor for asthma, a new study links bigger waist size (abdominal obesity) with the severity of the respiratory condition.
According to the study published in Thorax, women with a waist larger than 88cm are at a one-third higher risk of developing asthma.
Scientists concluded that waist circumference is a more useful measure compared to body mass index as it reflects the levels of visceral fat deposits found around the body’s organs.
“Visceral fat is metabolically more active - it can produce compounds that may cause inflammation. Inflammation may then be related to asthma,” added lead researcher Julie Von Behren.
PKH/HGH
Tags: asthma risk overweight weight visceral fat inflammation waist apple-shaped abdominal respiratory lung BMI
Waist Size And Body Mass Index Are Risk Factors For Sleep Disordered Breathing In Children →
June 6, 2009 (Sciencedaily.com) —A study in the June 1 issue of the journal SLEEP found that waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) are consistent, independent risk factors for all severity levels of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children, suggesting that as with adult SDB, metabolic factors are important risk factors for childhood SDB.
Sleep deprivation Results indicate that BMI and waist circumference, but not neck circumference, were significant and strong predictors of SDB at all severity levels – primary snoring, mild SDB and moderate SDB. Nasal anatomic factors such as chronic sinusitis, rhinitis and nasal drain were significant predictors of mild SDB; minority status was associated with primary snoring and mild SDB. Tonsil size, assessed by visual inspection, was not a significant risk factor for any level of SDB. Overall, 1.2 percent of children had moderate SDB (an apnea/hypopnea index of five or more breathing pauses per hour of sleep), 25 percent had mild SDB (AHI of at least one but less than five) and 15.5 percent had primary snoring. According to principal investigator Edward O. Bixler, PhD, of Penn State University College of Medicine in Hershey, Penn., it is often assumed that the primary mechanism of SDB in children is the presence of large tonsils or adenoids. The study suggests, however, that the causes of SDB in children are more complex, that there may be a systemic influence of obesity, and that adenotonsillectomy may not always be the most effective, first-line treatment.
“Risk factors for SDB in children are complex and include metabolic, inflammatory and anatomic factors,” said Bixler. “Because SDB in children is not just the outcome of anatomical abnormalities, treatment strategies should consider alternative options, such as weight loss and correction of nasal problems.”
For full article see link above.
Increased Waist Size Linked to Heart Failure →
April 13, 2009 (Medscape) — Higher waist size is associated with heart failure (HF) in women at all levels of body mass index (BMI), and both waist size and BMI predicted HF in men, according to the results of a study reported online first in the April 7 issue of Circulation Heart Failure.
For full medical article, see link above.
Bulging Waistline Boosts Heart Failure Risk →
HOUSTON, April 7 — An expanding waistline increased the risk of heart failure hospitalization and mortality, according to data from two large Swedish cohorts.
Every 10-cm increase in waist circumference raised the risk by 15% to 20%, Emily Levitan, Sc.D., of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, and colleagues reported in Circulation: Heart Failure.
For full medical article, see link above.
