Waist size may reveal heart risk even at normal weight, study finds

A person's waist circumference could provide important clues about heart health that body mass index (BMI) may fail to capture, according to a major long-term study. Researchers analysed data from nearly 260,000 adults who participated in 15 long-term medical studies, with participants monitored for around 20 years. The study found that some people with a normal or slightly overweight BMI had a significantly higher risk of heart-related diseases when they also had a larger waist circumference or higher waist-to-hip ratio. Belly fat linked to higher heart risk According to the research, people in the normal or slightly overweight BMI categories who had greater abdominal fat faced a 15% to 50% higher risk of various cardiovascular conditions and death. The findings, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, suggest that BMI alone may not provide a complete picture of a person's health. BMI measures weight in relation to height but does not show where fat is stored in the body. Why abdominal fat matters Fat stored around the abdomen can be particularly concerning because some of it accumulates around internal organs. Nutritionist Erin Palinski-Wade told Fox News that the location of body fat may be more important than its overall amount. According to her, visceral fat can contribute to inflammation, interfere with insulin function and affect blood vessels, potentially increasing cardiovascular risks. Study examined several heart conditions Researchers assessed a range of health outcomes, including heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, irregular heart rhythms and deaths related to cardiovascular disease. The findings suggest that doctors and individuals may need to look beyond body weight when assessing cardiovascular risk. Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio could provide additional information about the distribution of body fat and associated health risks. Study has some limitations The researchers noted several limitations, including incomplete information about participants' physical activity, diets and genetic risk factors for obesity. In addition, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were measured only once, meaning researchers could not fully assess how changes in abdominal fat over time affected cardiovascular risk.