[ad_1]
Significant weight loss could reverse most of the cardiovascular risks associated with obesity, according to a new study. The cross-sectional study of the U.S. adult population was presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), which is being held online this year from September 27 to October 1.
The results indicate that the risk of high blood pressure and dyslipidemia (unhealthy levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood) was similar in Americans who were obese (but were now at a healthy weight) and those who were overweight. always maintained a healthy weight. . However, although the current risk of type 2 diabetes decreased with weight loss, it remained high in people who were previously obese compared to those who had never had obesity.
More than 40 percent of American adults are obese (BMI greater than 30 kg / m2) and nearly one in ten is considered to be severely obese. Body weight is directly associated with almost all cardiovascular risk factors. As BMI increases, blood pressure, low density lipoprotein (LDL or bad) cholesterol increases, other abnormal blood fats, blood sugar levels, and inflammation. These changes increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and death from cardiovascular disease.
However, little is known about the persistence of the effects of obesity in those who subsequently achieve and maintain a healthy weight. To find out more, the researchers analyzed cardiovascular risk factors in 20,271 non-elderly U.S. adults (aged 20 to 69), comparing those who were obese but had a healthy weight for at least a year (326) with two those who were still at a healthy weight (6,235) and those who were currently obese (13,710).
They used data from a series of cross-sections, collected every two years from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 1999-2013 (NHANES; a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to compare the prevalence of high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes between groups. Adults who had previously suffered from obesity were on average older than those who had never been or currently obese, and more likely to smoke cigarettes (36 percent vs. 24 percent vs. 19 percent).
After adjusting for age, gender, smoking, and ethnicity, researchers found that the risk of high blood pressure and dyslipidemia was similar in those who were obese and those who had consistently maintained weight. health. Compared to those who were always at a healthy weight, people who were obese had a risk of diabetes three times higher than those who had never been obese; while currently obese people were seven times more likely to have diabetes. Those who were currently obese were also three times more likely to have high blood pressure and dyslipidemia.
“The main takeaway from this study is that losing weight is difficult, but important for cardiovascular health,” said lead author Professor Maia Smith of St George’s University in Granada. “First of all, it’s no surprise that it’s hard to lose weight and keep it off. Almost everyone in our original sample who ever suffered from obesity stayed that way. But don’t despair: if you can lose weight, it can not only prevent but reverse important health problems The best time to be healthy is 20 years ago, the second best time is now, “Smith added.
The authors acknowledged that their results show observational associations rather than cause and effect, and they cannot rule out the possibility that other unmeasured factors (including socioeconomic status) or missing data (e.g., eating habits, physical activity behaviors) may have affected the results. Finally, the study relied on self-reports of disease diagnosis and medication, as well as the highest body weight on record, which may not be accurate. (ANI)
(This story was not edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source link
