Wellness Wednesday

Physical Activity Has A More Significant Impact On Cardiovascular Disease In Comparison To Obesity Than Previously Thought

The long term impacts of physical activity may outweigh the negative impacts of being overweight or obese in regards to cardiovascular health.

A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology observed more than 5,000 people 55 years or older, and followed up with them 15 years later. The study tested the scientific modality of obesity and being overweight leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The prescription of this problem, is to lose weight. However, losing weight in the elderly population is usually associated with muscle loss and death due to the process being unintentional. Due to this association of weight loss in the elderly population, researchers investigated the distinct link between BMI and physical activity on the cardiovascular systems in the elderly population. Information about the physical activity, BMI, smoking, alcohol use, diet, education and family history were also collected during the study to weed out any misleading links.

The researchers analyzed the results of those who registered for the study between 1997-2001, 15 years later, and found that there was a distinct link between a reduced risk of heart disease with physical activity, but that there was no association between BMI alone and heart disease risk. The researchers also calculated that there was no increased risk for cardiovascular disease for obese or overweight patients who participated in physical activity, but overweight or obese patients who did not participate in physical activity were 1.33 and 1.35 times more likely to be at risk for cardiovascular disease. Guidelines for physical activity include at least 150 minutes of exercise a week.