Abdominal adipose tissue distribution, obesity, and risk of cardiovascular disease and death: 13 year follow up of participants in the study of men born in 1913.
Prospective study examines fat distribution and its impact on cardiovascular disease in middle-aged men, suggesting fat location may be a better predictor.
Key Points
This study investigates the relationship between abdominal fat distribution, obesity, and the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality.
Prospective study of 792 men born in 1913 in Gothenburg, assessed in 1967.
Measurements included anthropometric indices such as body mass index, waist circumference, and skinfold thickness.
Follow-up conducted 13 years later to evaluate occurrences of stroke, ischaemic heart disease, and mortality.
Waist to hip circumference ratio associated with stroke (p=0.002) and ischaemic heart disease (p=0.04).
No significant correlation between overall obesity indices and cardiovascular outcomes was found.
Waist to hip circumference ratio was not an independent predictor when adjusting for smoking, blood pressure, and cholesterol.