The dangers of belly fat are revealed

A recent review of current literature has revealed a clear correlation between high BMI, waist circumference and an increased risk of heart failure. Researchers from Imperial College London and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have conducted a meta-analysis that showed that overweight, as well as obesity, increases the risk of heart failure. Overall, overweight individuals were considered to have a 35% increased risk of heart failure than their normal weight counterparts, whilst obesity increased the risk by 2 to 3 times.

The paper included 23 studies that included 650,000 participants in total, they also found that the distribution of one’s fat plays a major role in the development of heart failure; a 10cm increase in waist circumference was linked to a 29% higher risk of heart failure. The authors hope that the paper will reinforce the suggestions of measuring patients’ waist circumference in regular medical examinations throughout the world. Whilst the researchers have found correlations, they admit that direct causation mustn’t be the final conclusion drawn, rather that increased waist circumference is one of many factors that can ultimately lead to heart failure.