According to a study of more than 20,000 Dutch people, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference are equally predictive of cardiovascular events, including death, over a period of 10 years. This study on cardiovascular risk was published online December 7, 2009 in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation.

In this study, baseline BMI and waist circumference measurements were performed by trained staff between 1993 and 1997 on men and women aged 20 to 65 years. Measurements were taken again 10 years later, and they were used to study the risk for fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease. The researchers found that obese individuals with a BMI of at least 30 had a fourfold higher risk of fatal cardiovascular disease and a twofold higher risk of non-fatal cardiovascular disease. These risks were similar to those seen in individuals with bigger weight circumference.

The previous literature suggests that waist circumference might be a better predictor of cardiovascular risk. However, this new research contributes to the ongoing controversy over whether BMI is an adequate way to measure obesity and associated cardiovascular risk. This study also demonstrated a stronger link between obesity/overweight and both fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease than has been previously reported. While the debate continues, it remains clear that excess weight has a profoundly negative impact on cardiovascular risk.

Source:

Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 2009;16:729-734.