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A groundbreaking study has revealed that two out of three deaths among obese individuals are linked to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), emphasizing the severe health risks posed by high body mass index (BMI). The findings come as the global obesity epidemic continues to surge, with more than a billion people worldwide now affected.
The study, led by Professor Emeline Van Craenenbroeck of Antwerp University, Belgium, highlights the critical connection between obesity and heart disease. “Notably, 67.5 per cent of deaths related to high body mass index (BMI) are attributable to cardiovascular disease (CVD),” Professor Van Craenenbroeck stated. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need to address obesity as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular health.
Obesity has long been recognized as a contributor to various CVDs, including atherosclerotic disease, heart failure, thromboembolic disease, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Despite this well-documented link, the study notes that obesity has been “under-recognized and sub-optimally addressed compared with other modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.”
The research team is calling for increased awareness of obesity as a major risk factor for heart disease. They emphasize the need for evidence-based practices to prevent and manage obesity effectively, particularly within the context of primary and secondary CVD prevention.
The study also explored the broader health implications of obesity, revealing its direct adverse effects on cardiac structure and function. In addition to its impact on cardiovascular health, obesity is linked to various other chronic diseases and has a detrimental effect on multiple organs.
One of the study’s significant findings is the close association between obesity and diabetes. It showed that 80 to 85 per cent of diabetes patients are obese or overweight, and the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes in obese individuals is about three times higher than in those of normal weight.
Weight loss therapies have been shown to have a positive impact on glycaemic management, with some patients even achieving remission to a non-diabetic state. Furthermore, the study attributes 78 per cent of the risk of hypertension in men and 65 per cent in women between the ages of 20 and 49 to high BMI.
Despite the clear dangers posed by obesity, the study found that management of this condition has received less attention than other CVD risk factors. Treatments for obesity include pharmaceutical, dietary, behavioral, and physical therapies, all of which are crucial in mitigating the health risks associated with high BMI.
The findings of this study are being presented at the ongoing European Cardiology Congress in London, running from August 30 to September 2. The research serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing obesity as a critical factor in preventing cardiovascular diseases and reducing mortality rates among the global population.
