Belly Fat Obesity Genes and Heart Disease Prevention Tips Linked By Study

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Obesity is a known established factor in the causation of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. What is not clear is whether body fat distribution has a role to play in the causation of heart disease and diabetes. Scientists have answered this question with research.


Obesity has become a major public health issue all over the world. Rates of obesity continue to rise. So is the rate of heart disease especially in the developed world.


The amount of body fat has always been a risk factor to heart disease and type 2 diabetes. One way of reducing the risk of heart disease is by increasing non exercise activity thermogenesis.


http://thedrjoe.com/non-exercise-activity-thermoge…


Something that has been in doubt is whether the location of the fat on the body makes a difference to the risk of heart disease.


The apple-shaped body has now been shown by research published in a recent edition of the Journal of American Medical Association to have a higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes than the pear-shaped body.


For avoidance of doubt, apple-shaped body refers to more body fat in the belly areas whilst pear-shaped body refers to body fat on the hips and thighs.


The research sought to establish if belly fat (abdominal fat) which is determined by certain genes actually predisposes the individuals with these genes to a higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.


400,000 adults who had previously been involved in health studies had a “genetic risk score” mathematically mapped on their profiles.


The researchers were based at the Harvard University and the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. The researchers had previously mathematically developed a genetic risk scoring system after examining 48 different genes that contribute to waist-to-hips fat ratio.


In order to determine if belly fat could be identified as an independent risk factor for heart disease, the scoring system they came up with was adjusted for body mass index.


The finding after an exhaustive algorithm was applied showed that belly fat was an independent factor in the causation of heart disease.


The study suggests that people with these fat genes are predisposed to laying fat on the belly in the first instance. This belly fat in turn increases their risk of heart attack.


“Preventing or shedding excess weight around the middle could help ward off two major diseases. This is something we should be paying attention to” Dr Kirk Knowlton, director of cardiovascular research at Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute, Salt Lake City said.


One tip from this research is that knowledge of that abdominal fat vulnerability implies taking proven steps like including hummus recipes and exercise, to reduce one’s risk of heart disease.


Release ID: 170718