'Fat but fit' people may still be at risk of heart disease

Conclusion This large, valuable study confirms that – as has long been thought – an increased BMI is linked with an increased risk of heart disease. It shows that people with an obese BMI had a higher risk of heart disease, even if they didn't have other risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood pressure, proving that body fat is an independent risk factor. That said, this study does have some limitations. For example, definitions of being metabolically unhealthy aren't entirely consistent with other definitions of metabolic syndrome. This was also only assessed at the start of the study, and risk factors may have varied among individuals during follow-up. And not all participants in the centres across Europe were general population samples. They may have included a higher proportion of those with risk factors. Nevertheless, the study on the whole supports our understanding of the modifiable risk factors for heart disease, and shows that being obese in itself increases your risk, regardless of your metabolic health.        More importantly, it also shows it's possible to be "not fat but unfit" if your BMI is within the recommended range but you have one or more metabolic risk factors. The best way to prevent heart disease, reduce your BMI, and prevent or reverse the symptoms of metabolic syndrome are quitting smoking if you smoke, getting regular exercise, eating healthily, trying to achieve a healthy weight, and cutting down on alcohol. L...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Obesity Source Type: news